MICHAEL GASH’S 12th GOAL OF THE SEASON GUIDES FLEET TOWARDS SAFETY…
EASTBOURNE BOROUGH 0-1 EBBSFLEET UNITED
The Fleet picked up their first win, indeed their first points on the road since way back in November when they beat Crawley 2-1. That night it was Michael Gash and Luke Moore who led the way with a goal each; tonight there was just the one but both players had a hand in it.
Despite warning of enforced changes, Liam Daish was able to field a side largely similar to Tuesday night’s but for James Smith’s inclusion at the expense of Danny Slatter.
And with a win under their belt, the Fleet didn’t look like a timid visiting side as they outfought Eastbourne from the first whistle. Moore and Gash warmed the goalkeeper’s hands inside the first quarter of an hour, the latter’s shot especially good with debutant keeper Michael Jordan forced to tip over the bar.
Leon Crooks also had a chance scrambled off the line while Stacy Long fired wide from close range as the Fleet tried to break through the home side’s defence.
Their patience was rewarded 11 minutes into the second half, when Marc Pullan misjudged a bounce and Moore nipped in to head across to the waiting Gash just outside the six-yard box and he bundled it home for his first league goal since January and his 12th in all competitions this season.
It was a goal that had been coming as the Fleet came out with purpose after the break with Long and Ricky Shakes at the heart of much of the Fleet’s invention. The visitors seemed content with their goal, perhaps figuring that a curiously shot-shy Borough were less than interested in this game and Gash’s strike indeed proved enough, lifting Fleet to a healthy 16th place, four points clear of the drop zone and still with at least three games in hand on most other sides.
TEAM: Cronin, Crooks, Charles, Smith, McCarthy, Ricketts, Martin, Long (Opinel 90), Shakes (Slatter 90), Moore (Purcell 72), Gash. Subs not used: Mott, West
Att: 919
