MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 0-0 Ebbsfleet United | National League South | Tuesday 14th February 2023
A superb backs to the wall effort by the Bluebirds after defender Eddie Jones received a 38th minute red card saw Chippenham Town hold runaway leaders Ebbsfleet United to a goalless draw.
The Bluebirds managed only one shot on target whilst the Fleet fashioned wave upon wave of attacks but could not find a way through with Will Henry saving a second half penalty as the whole team combined to gain a point.
In the opening minute Luke O’Neill’s free kick was gathered by Henry and a minute later Alfie Santos’ shot was blocked for a fruitless corner.
The next goalmouth action took until the quarter hour mark when Darren McQueen cut in but his low shot was saved by Henry.
Five minutes later another Santos shot was skewed wide.
Midway through the half Greg Cundle found Rakish Bingham whose shot was turned onto a post and behind by Henry.
A minute later McQueen and Josh Wright combined to present Shaquille Coulthirst with a chance but his shot was deflected behind.
Seven minutes before the break Sido Jambati appeared to foul Santos but referee Steven Hughes did not give anything and Jones flew in on Jombati and his tackle earned a red card.
Will Richards was then booked for an innocuous looking challenge much to the wrath of the home crowd who had seen several Chippenham breaks halted by crude tackles but not punished.
In stoppage time a Chippenham throw found its way to Tom Mehew but his shot went wide.
HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 0-0 Ebbsfleet United
Chippenham finally had a shot on target on fifty five minutes when Mehew found Caine Bradbury but his shot from outside of the area was saved by Mark Cousins.
Two minutes later Ebbsfleet sub Toby Edser’s shot was deflected behind.
On seventy three minutes Fleet sub Franklin Domi was fouled in the area but Henry saved O’Neill’s penalty.
Nine minutes from time Domi’s shot hit the side netting.
Two minutes from time Chippenham were awarded a free kick wide on the left but substitute Joe Hanks’ effort floated wide.
FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 0-0 Ebbsfleet United
Chippenham: Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Will King, Will Tizzard, Will Richards, Luke Russe, Tom Mehew, Alfie Santos (Joe Hanks 84), Caine Bradbury (Matt McClure 74), Craig Fasanmade, Alex Bray (Aaron Simpson 62) subs not used: Owen Windsor, Joe Parker
Ebbsfleet: Mark Cousins, Luke O’Neill, Josh Wright (Elliott Romain 84), Sido Jombati (Franklin Domi 46), Christian N’Guessan, Rakish Bingham, Darren McQueen, Dominic Poleon, Greg Cundle, Chris Solly, Shaquille Coulthirst (Toby Ester 46) subs not used: Billy Clifford, Ben Chapman
Ref: Steven Hughes
Ass Refs: Benjamin Duffill, Adam Gregory
Match report by Wil Hulbert
