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Dartford assistant boss Christian Jolley felt Ebbsfleet paid them a big compliment by changing their style of play on New Year’s Day.
Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb abandoned his footballing philosophy after their Boxing Day drubbing but plan B saw the visitors come unstuck at Princes Park as Dartford completed a festive double with a 4-0 success.
“I see it as a compliment,” said Jolley. “We addressed their strengths when we went to their place, as you do when you go away from home. You find out what they’re good at, try to exploit their weaknesses and we managed to execute that on Boxing Day.
“When they then come to us there is more pressure on us because we’re expected to take ownership of the game and get the three points. We weren’t surprised as we prepared for all eventualities but it made for a different game in terms of our style of press on them.
“They lengthened the pitch really well, they did it with quality as their strikers are very athletic and they stretched the game. There was a 20-minute spell in the first half when they were better at lengthening the pitch, picking up the second balls and getting themselves up the pitch.
“They’ve got great quality, they had two of the better chances before our goal and it didn’t go in and then we were clinical to take our opportunity.
“I’m very pleased with the group. Ebbsfleet really challenged us again, it was a different game to Boxing Day, a different style of play and different personnel and the boys adjusted brilliantly to it.
“There were set pieces, no short corners, it was all setting things up and I’m pleased that we were able to adjust to that, match it and then go one step further by showing our qualities in the final third that we know we’ve got.”
Jolley conceded the goals came at a good time for Dartford. And he paid tribute to the Princes Park crowd, who got behind the home side and helped raise their game even more.
“It’s about scoring in the right moments and the timing of the goals was crucial in terms of how to manage the game,” said Jolley.
“These are the games where you don’t need to take care of motivation. It’s a local derby and when you turn up it’s rocking, there’s an excitement on the back of Boxing Day because you know there’s going to be a response.
“To see that number of fans and really hear it rocking, with people excited and invested in the club was great.
“It gives the team energy, the minute you score, the fans get behind you and if lifts you again. You score a goal and get 10 or 15 per cent, but when the fans respond like that you get another five per cent and before you know it you’re 20 per cent up on the opposition.
“These are all the angles we need to lean on, especially going into the business end of the season.
“We need to make sure this is a real fortress and that people don’t want to come here. We’ve got to dominate that and the fans play a big part in it.”
Alex Wall and Charlie Sheringham were both on the scoresheet as Dartford scored four goals against Ebbsfleet for the second time inside six days.
Both strikers earned praise from Jolley for the different roles they’ve played in recent weeks.
“Alex Wall is fantastic at the moment,” beamed Jolley. “He’s brilliant. He waited patiently for his opportunity, he’s got his opportunity and now opponents are really worried about him.
“He’s such a handful, he’s strong, athletic, a lot quicker than you think he is and he’s happy to run in behind.
“I’ve stupidly stood in goal for him at training when he’s done some shooting practice and it’s ridiculous when he hits the ball, he is so dynamic and powerful.
“Charlie led us in our run of form and came out of the team at Havant when we tried to take advantage of Alex playing his old team, and Charlie hasn’t had any minutes since.
“He came on and scored a fantastic goal and that sums up the group as a whole, they are willing to patiently wait, they’re all supportive and understand you need to be eight or nine out of 10 every week to play for Dartford at the moment.”
