MATCH REPORT: Ebbsfleet United 1-0 Chippenham Town | National League South | Saturday 16th August
Chippenham’s poor record against Ebbsfleet continued, as they suffered a narrow defeat at the Kuflink stadium.
A solo strike from substitute Aaron Cosgrove turned out to be the difference between the two sides in Kent.
Chippenham created chances throughout what was an even contest overall, but a combination of wastefulness in front of goal and impressive shot-stopping kept them at bay.
Ebbsfleet started the game the brighter side, but failed to make the most of their early pressure, their only noticeable effort was a long distance strike from George Moncur that never troubled Will Henry.
The Bluebirds slowly started to get a foothold in the game, their first chance came through Sol Wanjau-Smith, as he burst through the hosts midfield in the ninth minute, but didn’t have the finish to match as his shot was easily saved by Mark Cousins.
After a break-in play due to a Ben Coker injury, the Bluebirds picked up where they left from in the 17th minute. Reece Fleet fired an effort after a corner was cleared straight into his path. His shot appeared to be going wide, but Cousins took no chances, tipping the ball around the post.
After both sides had a spell of dominance, the game began to even itself out, with half chances coming and going both ways.
In the 35th minute Fleet had another effort, he lined a shot up from 20 yards out, but it fizzed wide of the post.
The Bluebirds created their best chance of the game on the stroke of half-time, following some brilliant footwork from Wanjau-Smith, he slipped the ball inside to Tom Owen-Evans, however his instinctive strike was straight at Cousins.
Half-Time: Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Chippenham Town
The hosts came out from the break the better side, and it appeared they took the lead in the 52nd minute, when a cross was met by Dom Samuel who fired home, but celebrations were cut short as the linesman raised his flag.
Minutes later, Henry had to be alert to make a fantastic double save to keep the scores level. The first came from point blank range before he prevented a certain tap in with his feet.
Chippenham’s first chance of the half came through substitute Ezio Touray in the 63rd minute, who fired a shot from the edge of the box, forcing Cousins into a stop at his near post.
However he wasn’t the substitute to have the biggest impact in the game, as Ebbsfleet’s Cosgrove gave his side the lead in 72nd minute, after the number nine poked a low cross home.
The visitors tried to find their way back into the contest, and nearly found themselves level ten minutes later, but Luke Haines looping strike was tipped over.
With seconds on the clock, Harlee Vozza found himself through on goal, but his side footed effort was kept out by the foot of Howard, with the following corner being claimed by the latter.
Full-Time: Ebbsfleet United 1-0 Chippenham Town
Chippenham will look to bounce back Tuesday night, as they gear up for their first mid-week fixture of the season against Weston-super-Mare.
CTFC: Will Henry, Lewis Colwell, Tom Mehew (Jake Evans 84), Luke Haines, Tom Owens-Evans (Harlee Vozza 84), Ethan Vaughan, Olaf Koszela (Henry Sady 84), Caine Bradbury (Quevin Castro 67), Reece Fleet, Harrison Minturn, Sol Wanjau-Smith (Ezio Touray 61)
