Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb reacts to 1-0 FA Cup win at Aylesbury United
Published: 06:00, 03 October 2021
Updated: 08:09, 03 October 2021
Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb wasn't fazed by his team's lack of a cutting edge in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Fleet beat Aylesbury United 1-0 in the third qualifying round thanks to substitute Kieran Monlouis' second-half winner.
They created a host of chances in the wind and rain but Kutrieb praised Aylesbury's defensive resolve as the Fleet were unable to repeat the scoring exploits of their 5-2 midweek success at Chippenham in the league.
"You can't always expect the boys to score 10 goals in every game," said the Fleet boss.
"We scored five on Tuesday and fantastic goals, but they parked the bus and stood very deep, and tried to defend with everything that they had in the box.
"Big compliments for them because they did very well and were well organised. The FA Cup is such a special competition, you could see (their legs) were gone after 45 minutes but they fought so hard to stay in the game and get their chance and not to concede.
"For this game, I don't care if you score one or five, you need to come through. I have nothing to moan about.
"Of course you can score more goals and second half we had more chances but even first half we had chances when Greg Cundle was outstanding on the left wing. They defended well as a team so you can't expect to create so many chances."
Kutrieb made a double change at half-time, replacing Lee Martin and Kresh Krasniqi with Alfie Egan and Monlouis.
The Fleet boss revealed that the plan was always to give Martin 45 minutes, but he changed his mind on the second switch.
Kutrieb said: "We had a chat with Lee Martin before that we only wanted to have him for 45 minutes, that was the plan.
"Normally for Chris Solly that was the plan as well but I made the decision that it was better to bring Kresh off, it was not his best performance. It's tough for him to step in on a tight game when you need to travel with the ball, he is more a defending threat for us than an attacking threat.
"We needed to attack a little bit more like we did with Alfie and Kieran, I think it was the right decision."
For Ebbsfleet, the main objective was to book their place in Monday's draw.
It ends a sodden but productive week with the win at Chippenham also played in testing conditions.
"You always want to be in a draw," said Kutrieb. "It’s a terrible feeling when you see a draw and you’re not involved, so of course you always want to be involved.
"We needed to make sure that we are involved and we stay in the hat and that’s the most important thing.
"The FA Cup is always special as you could see. If you ask me if I’m happy, yes I’m happy. Could we have scored more goals? Yes, definitely, but I think the opponent has one chance very late in the game, a half chance, and then we had lots of chances.
"It was very hard because of the rain, now the second time in a row after Chippenham on Tuesday and today again. But it is what it is, it’s football.
"If there’s rain, you need to play football in it. If snow, then you play in snow, so it’s no reason to complain. It’s for everyone the same and it’s no problem at all."
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Matthew Panting