Ebbsfleet United 1 Halifax Town 0

STACEY LONG'S first goal of the season guided Ebbsfleet United to a 1-0 win over Halifax Town in the Blue Square Premier at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

Fleet's goal came just four minutes into the second half when Mark DeBolla's right-wing cross was hooked home by Long from just inside the box.

Halifax looked to find a way back into the game with substitute Steve Torpey going closeest with a 76th minute free-kick which was tipped over by Scott Tynan.

The home side had the better of the first half and almost scored after 18th minutes when Luke Moore latched onto a pass from Chris McPhee before rounding Halifax keeper Craig Mawson and seeing his shot from a tight angle hit the side netting.

Mawsom was called into action again minutes later, diving low to his right to keep out a well-struck free-kick from teenage midfielder George Purcell.

DeBolla came closest to opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time but his brilliantly-struck volley from Long's cross was once again saved by the impressive Mawson.

Gravesend: Tynan, Goodhind, McCarthy, Hawkins, Bostwick, McPhee, Long, Purcell, DeBolla (Coleman 79), Eribenne (Nade 69), Moore.
Subs Not Used: Mott, Starkey, Slatter.
Attendance: 931.

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