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Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb hopes Rakish Bingham’s goal in the FA Trophy against Chippenham on Tuesday night will take the pressure off his striker.
Bingham is Fleet’s leading scorer with five but it was his first goal in eight matches – a run that stretched back to mid-October.
He came off the bench to put Fleet ahead but a last-gasp Tom Harrison equaliser meant the tie went to spot-kicks with Ebbsfleet progressing 4-2 on penalties.
“I’m really happy with Raks and really pleased for him that he scored a goal,” said Kutrieb.
“You can see after his goal how good he was.
“I said after the weekend that he only needs a goal (to get going again) and I’m sure that he’ll be better now and score more goals.
“I’m very positive about it. I know him, he is always thinking about things but you could see after the game that he was really good.”
With fans not allowed in to watch Fleet’s games under the current Covid-19 restrictions, they’ve been judging Bingham on his finishing.
He’s missed some good chances but he also makes runs off the ball that often go unnoticed, and Kutrieb is happy with his overall contribution.
“They can’t see the work-rate,” added Kutrieb. “That’s exactly what I told him, ‘Look, you’re a striker and you have to score goals, but I’m happy with you because you’re working so hard for the team’.
“I can see it on the stats as well. He is one of the boys that works very hard off the ball to try and get it back, try to close the gaps, and that’s a big advantage of what he gives to the team.
“Now he’s scored a goal, I’m sure that he will score more in the next weeks.”
Fleet came under fire from many of their supporters after the National League South home defeat to a seasoned Havant side last weekend.
It was a third league game without a goal and they’ve only won one of their last five league matches.
Kutrieb hasn’t read the criticism but admits the fans have every right to have their say.
“It’s normal after 3-0 that you get critics in football,” he said. “I’m aware of it and that’s their right.
“If you sit (watching) on the TV and we lose the game, then they can’t help – and they want to help. Normally, they want to be with us and help us.
“I’m sure if they were here they would help us. You can see sometimes that the boys need that little bit of support.
“It’s so tough to play big games without fans. You have the feeling that it is like a pre-season game. Against teams like Havant or a fighting side like Chippenham, it’s not easy.”
Fleet travel to Dagenham in the FA Trophy third round on Saturday, a team managed by ex-Fleet boss Daryl McMahon.
The sides met in pre-season and Ebbsfleet signed striker Reece Grant in the summer from the Daggers. He’s not featured in the two squads since the club returned to action, but Kutrieb confirmed that he is fit and available – if selected.
“I’m sure he wants to play but we have different options that we can do,” said the Fleet boss.
“We will prepare for them and find the best line-up for us. We want to give them a great challenge and we’ll see who is the better side.
“The boys are happy to play against a National League team. They all want to play. It’s a big challenge for us but it’s a good competition. I’m positive as always because it’s possible to get into the next round.”
