Aldershot Town failed to fully deliver on their billing as favourites on Saturday afternoon, as a spirited Ebbsfleet United team held them to a frantic 3-3 draw at the EBB Stadium. Five goals in 16 first-half minutes made up the majority of the action before Tyler Frost’s 67th minute penalty rescued a point.
The starting lineup saw four changes to the side that emerged victorious in Maidenhead on Tuesday night, the most notable of which being new signing Levi Laing, who came straight into Tommy Widdrington’s starting eleven.
Shots started with intent, as Will Amitage sent a long ball through to Jack Barham in the first minute. He, along with the whole of the East Bank, thought he had found his way through on goal, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag. The visitors didn’t take long to make their threat known, however, as Josh Passley managed to penetrate the penalty area after a mazy run down the right-flank. Luca Woodhouse was relieved to clear away the winger’s low-cross.
Aldershot controlled the opening quarter of an hour, as the trickery of Ryan Jones and Josh Barrett earned a procession of corners in quick succession. This was to prove the avenue that saw the hosts open the scoring, as a short-corner to RJ caught the Fleet defense unawares, the wing-back slalomed into the box and drove a low strike across the keeper to find the back of the net.
Ebbsfleet took no time at all to reply, Franklin Domi received the ball in a central area 25-yards out, buying a yard of space through quick feet, he was able to get a sweet, left-footed strike away that sailed in Marcus Dewhurst’s net on the 16th minute mark.
Not to be outdone by the brilliance of the equaliser, Josh Barrett produced his own piece of magic not three minutes late. With the ball bouncing up on the left-hand side of the edge of the penalty area, the Irishman struck an inch perfect effort with the outside of his laces that swerved all the way into the top-right corner for 2-1 Shots.
A breathless first-thirty minutes continued, a foul on Aaron Cosgrove allowed set-piece specialist George Moncur to line-up a free-kick in an extremely promising position. The former Luton Town midfielder curled a delightful effort just inside the right-hand post, a third goal from range in the opening half-hour, levelling the scores once more.
Ebbsfleet weren’t finished there, as Ben Chapman and Aaron Cosgrove linked up well on the breakaway, the latter, though on goal, poked a side-footed volley underneath a jumping Dewhurst, sending the side from Kent into the lead for the first time in the afternoon.
Cosgrove looked to be in a scoring position once more shortly before the break, as a dropped shoulder allowed him to race into the box, though a terrific display of strength from Levi Laing alleviated further danger.
HALF-TIME
The second 45 began in much quieter fashion than the first, with contentious decisions against both sides slowing the pace of play.
On the hour-mark, Tommy Widdrington opted for an aggressive tactical change in pursuit of an equaliser, switching to a back with the introduction of an extra midfielder, James Henry. This change sparked immediate life into the attack, as Ryan Jones broke down the left to earn a corner, the result of which saw Will Armitage head across goal for Luca Woodhouse, whose shot unfortunately blazed high and wide.
The pressure told soon after Ryan Jones’ searching ball was clearly punched by Elijah Anthony. After collecting his thoughts, the referee hesitantly pointed to the spot for an Aldershot penalty. Despite initially standing over the spot, Josh Barrett bestowed the ball to Tyler Frost, giving him an oppurtunity to score his second in as many games. Frosty struck low and true to the keeper’s right, making thinks all square once more.
Ryan Jones came agonisingly close to fourth for the Shots. His first time effort from 12-yards looked destined for the bottom-left, though Mark Cousins got down well to claim it. RJ continued a busy days work, crossing in towards both Jack Barham and James Henry six yards from goal, though neither managed to make contact, allowing a bombarded Ebbsfleet defense to clear.
Fresh off the bench, Kair Corbett linked up well with Cameron Hargreaves with a neat one-two in the box, though eventual recipient Josh Barrett was unable to forge a chance from what appeared to be an inviting opening.
Ryan Jones once again created a chance from the left, this time finding Luca Woodhouse, who just dragged a guilt-edged opportunity wide of the post. Chances became proggresively more sparce as it soon became apparent that nothing was to separate the two sides on the day.
Attendance: 2685 (116 Away)
Shots lineup: 28. Marcus Dewhurst, 7. Cameron Hargreaves, 8. Tyler Frost, 10. Josh Barrett, 11. Ryan Jones, 12. Keane Anderson (6. Theo Widdrington 64′), 17. Aaron Jones (C), 22. Jack Barham (9. Kai Corbett 82′), 33. Luca Woodhouse, 36. Will Armitage, 38. Levi Laing (27. James Henry 60′).
Subs not used: 1. Jordi van Stappershoef, 14. Ollie Bray, 24. Maxwell Mullins, 37. Tariq Uwakwe.
Ebbsfleet lineup: 1. Mark Cousins, 2. Luke O’Neill (C), 7. Josh Passley (35. Elijah Anthony 51′), 11. George Moncur (18. Ryan Carr 81′), 16. Franklin Domi (14. Dom Poleon 76′), 17. Toby Edser, 22. Ben Chapman, 24. Mustapha Olagunju, 27. Aaron Bolger, 28. Aaron Cosgrave (39. Kwame Thomas 70′), 36. Maxx Manktelow.
Subs not used: 32. Felix Goddard, 9. Rakish Bingham, 37. Alex Aoraha.
