Ebbsfleet United

On Saturday City had the pleasure of welcoming Ebbsfleet United to Twerton Park, now Ebbsfleet are one of those clubs you remember hearing something bizarre about, but then drop out of your consciousness. Ebbsfleet are one of those teams as they are currently owned by Myfootballclub.com, this was an idea I remember hearing where members of a website were all to "invest" £35 each and purchase a football club, with grand ideas of Leeds being bought, but in the end it was Ebbsfleet (Or Gravesend & Northfleet as they were known until 2007) purchased.

Originally there were over 27,000 members, but as I imagine we all could have guessed, membership has plummeted to less than 3,500 meaning that as of December 2011 the club needed in the region of £50,000 in order to survive the season (mental note, with Darlo, Kettering and Ebbsfleet all possibly going we need to finish one off the bottom to survive!!!) So Ebbsfleet while being a bit of a nowhere town, at least have a unique football club.

Due to the return from suspension of both Gethin Jones and Sean Canham, City started with a definite 442 in an attempt to finally revive the ailing season. However, with Murray injured once again a certain creative spark was missing, while Paul Stonehouse currently enjoying his best spell of form in a City shirt was harshly relegated to the bench to be replaced by Hoggy.

However, all tactical analysis was rendered mute very early on, as the bad luck (or shitness depending on your viewpoint) that has blighted the season struck again. A nothing shot was struck towards the City goal, and Garner dived to collect the ball. However, the next second Garners face was aghast as somehow the ball had squirmed under him, rolled to a Ebbsfleet forward to squared to Nathaniel Penney to score. One down after 8 minutes due to a unbelievable goalkeeping error.

The inclement weather around Twerton meant that the pitch wore more in the first half than it had in the whole season so far, with players slipping and the turf cutting up badly. Phillips and Hoggy both fired wide when both should have done better, while once again a goal was disallowed, although whether Canham (S) was offside or not I do not know, so for once no moans at Wayne Barratt (yes that one!)

The halftime whistle sounded with the score still 0-1, and City came out early for the second half and around the hour mark City were back on level terms, a Hogg corner was cleared back to the shaven headed wingman, who whipped in a teasing cross which was emphatically powered home by Gethin Jones who celebrated wildly.

Then came the moment which should mean I am typing about a City win, Sean Canham was felled, however, I didn't see the incident as I was chatting to Notters, however, being able to read Lee Phillips reaction it was for (and I quote) "fucking elbow ref, he used a fucking elbow" for reasons that are beyond me Ebbsfleet keeper Edwards raced out of his box to the half way line to remonstrate, Gethin laughed at him, so the keeper punched him....in the bollocks! Yes you read that right, the keeper punched him in the balls! Unbelievable! Never have I seen anything like that before! While not a full on punch, it was worthy of the instant red shown to the keeper, and City now surely must beat the 10 men.

However, despite City have numerous chances the attacking intent left them open at the back, Sekani Simpson whipped in a delicious cross (TM Paul Hill 2011) which I still cannot fathom how it wasn't tucked away, but Ebbsfleet broke into the space vacated by Simmo, and Shakes ran from inside his own half before flicking a wonderful finish over Garner. Ebbsfleet managed to score another from a poor backpass, 1-3 at which point 7 (seven) minutes injury time was shown! No-one in the ground wanted that! Sean Canham lashed home a brilliant finish after Shepherd played him in on the 97th minute, but that was it and City had slumped to defeat again. The day concluded with a drown your sorrows evening at The Old Crown, The White Horse and The Victoria, which at least removed much of the memory of the game! Ridiculously we are back at Twerton on Tuesday, and then Saturday, never have 2 games of football been less anticipated.