Ebbsfleet’s Bryant Bilongo admitted he was expecting to play in defence for the club after a man-of-the-match display on Saturday.

Bilongo enjoyed a stunning debut, scoring the opener and then providing the assist for Rakish Bingham to add a second as the Fleet beat Eastleigh 3-0 in the National League.

The 22-year-old, on loan from Middlesbrough for the rest of the season, lined up at left wing-back and posed an attacking threat throughout.

“I’m a left-back, at Boro I played more as a centre-half as we played with a three,” said Bilongo.

“I did come here expecting to play centre-halve but Danny Searle’s put me at left wing-back as I have the ability to go up and down, one v one and, obviously, it has paid off!

“I did enjoy it, it gives me more freedom. Everyone wants to attack, everyone wants to be part of the goals.

“It’s all good being at the back and getting clean sheets but goals are goals, aren’t they!”

Bilongo instantly became a fans’ favourite with his all-action display and he loved the reception as much as they enjoyed watching him play.

Knowing he was playing in an advanced role, he was expecting to feature more at the right end of the pitch as well.

“It was amazing,” said Bilongo. “The fans were amazing and it was good to get the three points, a goal and an assist.

“I was half expecting to score as when I’m playing higher up the pitch I did think that I’d get a few more chances.

“I did think it would be nice to get one or at least an assist but I ended up getting both.

“It’s my first senior goal and in front of the Plough End as well was brilliant.

“I enjoy training with the lads every day, it’s fun. That’s the main thing, as long as I’m enjoying my football then I feel like I can go out and play confidently in front of everyone.”

Ironically Bilongo will now come up against the club he spent a brief amount of time at on loan last season when Woking visit Stonebridge Road on Tuesday night.

Both teams are in the bottom four but Ebbsfleet know victory will lift them out of the relegation zone.

“I went out on loan once last season to Woking but I didn’t get much gametime,” explained Bilongo.

“I came here expecting to get gametime but the first two games I wasn’t involved. Now, they’ve put me in the team.

“Hopefully I play against them and hopefully we turn up again and get another three points.

“It’s a big game. This is the standard and everyone in the dressing room knows we need to achieve that to push on in every game to fight for a respectful position in the league.

“When I came into training here on my first day, I thought it’s a good footballing side. I couldn’t see what the problem was. Since I’ve come here, I’ve honestly thought we should be a side pushing higher but the circumstances are what they are and we just need to survive.”

Fleet boss Searle praises debutant Bilongo

Report: Ebbsfleet 3-0 Eastleigh

Bilongo made his Middlesbrough debut at the start of last season in an EFL Cup tie against Barnsley.

Having initially spent time in non-league football before making the move to Middlesbrough, he’s keen to get gametime and show what he can do.

“I just want people to see that I can play at a senior level,” he added.

“I came through non-league but then joined the Academy. I want to play senior football, get the minutes and experience I need under my belt.

“I’m not that young anymore, at 22, I’m in that period where I should be playing men’s football - at any level.”