League Drought Continues - Ebbsfleet United vs. Gillingham

New stand at Stonebridge Road

For my second match of the season, I opted for another revisit that ticked two boxes - a programme was produced and there were decent pubs near by. Today's match saw another Conference National side Ebbsfleet host League Two Gillingham. Since my last visit to Stonebridge Road - I had visited twice before, once for an FA Cup replay with Cray Wanderers and a Conference draw with Grimsby - the big covered terrace along one side had been replaced with a fancy new stand hosting hospitality facilities. In my two previous visits I had never seen Ebbsfleet lose and they were hoping this would continue today.

Old stand at Stonebridge Road

This match followed a remarkably similar pattern to the match at Braintree the previous weekend. A league side failed to really get anywhere near a Conference National side and conceded a goal in each half. The first one was a close range finish before an fantastic finish to complete a brilliant passing move. The second goal can be seen here. 

Ebbsfleet putting the Gillingham defence under pressure

The closest station to Stonebridge Road is Ebbsfleet International which is a ten minute walk away. The quick trains from St Pancras take around twenty minutes. However, for pre match refreshments I recommend staying on the train until Gravesend. Here you have the choice of the excellent micro pub, The Compass Alehouse which has four ales on offer. Or there is The Invicita Bar which serves a collection of locally brewed beers. The clubhouse at the ground serves the usual selection of drinks and I really recommend visiting Stonebridge Road before any further redevelopment. 

Ebbsfleet comfortably defending the clubhouse end

Finally A Game - Ebbsfleet United vs. Grimsby Town

Stonebridge Road Under Lights

This was my first game for almost three weeks due to social commitments and very late calls by referees to postpone games at Margate and Herne Bay. For this game I revisited Ebbsfleet with my Grimsby supporting friend for their game against the Fleet in the Conference National. I'd previously visited Stonebridge Road for an FA Cup between Ebbsfleet and Cray Wanderers in which the home side narrowly avoided a shock. Grimsby were sitting pretty at the top of the league and were on an impressive run of form. Ebbsfleet were on a decent run of form themselves and had Scunthorpe loan player Matt Godden in their side.

The Stand Named After Long Serving Fleet Manager Liam Daish

Grimsby dominate the opening stages and are in complete control. They make their superiority count when Marcus Marshall cuts inside and smashes the ball in to the top corner. It looks like Grimsby will run away with the game but as the half draws they let Ebbsfleet back in to the game. The Grimsby keeper makes a great save from a headed effort but Matt Godden equalises just before half time. Grimsby have a lot of the ball in the second half but fail to really test the keeper. Ebbsfleet try to score on the break but the game ends 1-1.

Covered Seating Behind One Of The Goals

The closest station to Stonebridge Road is Ebbefleet International which is served by the bullet train from St Pancras. The journey takes only twenty minutes and the trains are pretty regular. There was a real ale festival on in the clubhouse arranged by the supporters club and so we didn't try a local pub before the game. The clubhouse is quite large and had a lot of beers on offer including a Fleet Ale.

Further Covered Seating Down The Side Of The Pitch

Ebbsfleet United vs. Cray Wanderers

View towards the away end.

After visiting the second oldest club in the world on the previous Saturday, I went to watch the world's third oldest club in their FA Cup replay against Ebbsfleet United. Ebbsfleet themselves being a world's first after being taken over by website myfootballclub which allows members to have a say in transfers and other aspects of the club. The first game was a 2-2 draw with ex-Tooting hero Dave King saving a penalty in the last match. Also as Cray are a league below the hosts there was defiantly the potential for a shock. 

The covered terrace which provides a decent (and dry) view of the action.

In the opening first half hour it appears unlikely that a shock is going to occur. Ebbsfleet have most of possession and Cray's physical approach upsets some of the locals. Ebbsfleet get the goal that their dominance deserves mid way through the first half. An angled drive from just outside the box gave Dave King no chance. Cray attempt to put pressure on the home defence but without worrying the Ebbsfleet keeper. Just before half time Ebbsfleet get the second goal and the tie looks like it could be over.

View from the covered terrace towards the home end.

Cray emerge for the second half and immediately show more attacking intent then they did in the first half. Two headers in the space of ten minutes get Cray level and Ebbsfleet look rattled, the shock was back on. However, just five minutes after the second Cray goal, Ebbsfleet win a penalty and the offending player is shown a second yellow and Cray are a man down. Dave King doesn't have to repeat his heroics from the first game as the penalty is put over the stand!. Ebbsfleet do eventually another two goals late in the game to progress to the next round.

View from the main stand.

There are two options with regards to getting to Stonebridge Road. If you are pushed for time and have a bit of extra cash, you can get the high speed train from St. Pancras to Ebbsfleet International. This takes about twenty minutes but is more expensive than the train to Northfleet from Charing Cross. The second option does take almost three times as long. Both stations are a short walk from the station. I didn't see any pubs around the ground but the bar underneath the home stand is a decent size and has a decent selection of drinks.

The main stand.