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Ebbsfleet boss Kevin Watson hailed his team’s professional approach in the FA Trophy on Saturday.
Fleet won 2-0 at Isthmian Premier Enfield Town thanks to two first-half goals.
“It was a pleasing day at the office,” said Watson. “You think because you’re a higher placed team and you win 2-0 that it’s expected, but for me it’s not expected.
“You go away from home and these teams are going to have a real go at you. It’s their FA Cup final playing a National League team.
“The word from me was professional and I thought we were brilliantly professionally.”
Former Ebbsfleet striker Billy Bricknell missed a first-half penalty for the hosts but, in truth, there were few other scares for Ebbsfleet.
“Yes, Jordan Holmes made a save which might have got their tails up but in general we’ve had a lot of chances to bury that game and put it beyond doubt,” said Watson..
“Two-nil is a scoreline where if they do get one then all of a sudden it becomes a little bit edgy but we were more than good value for our win.
“I’m ecstatic because it’s always a banana skin when you come to a lower-league club.
“But I thought in general our play was excellent, we passed it superbly well. You had to match Enfield’s work-rate first and foremost which we did – and bettered – as well.
“It’s all about attitude in these games and my boys’ attitude from the minute we got here, from the warm-up, to the start of the game, to the end, was spot-on. I was really pleased.”
Early goals from Alex Reid and Gozie Ugwu proved the difference and Watson was impressed with how his team handled the conditions on a bitterly cold afternoon.
“The pitch was sticky, it was a bit of a blustery day as well, it’s an open ground,” said Watson. “I was delighted with the confidence we showed to get on the ball and pass with a purpose.
“Some of our movements, especially the second half, were excellent and I said that to them.
“Tomi Adeloye did well (for the first goal), I’ve told the boys not to turn down crosses when they get into crossing positions, put it into dangerous areas.
“Reidy got a little bit of a fortunate bobble and in a sticky six-yard box the ball fell for him nicely but he’s a goalscorer and he’s prodded it home.
“The second goal was excellent technique, great touch, great volley from Gozie. I thought Gozie was outstanding. If people want to ask why I brought him off, it was because he was feeling unwell.
“I told him he can be unwell every week if he wants to play like that because he was excellent!”
Fleet go in to Monday’s second round draw but Watson isn’t concerned about who they get paired against.
“If you’re going to go to Wembley and win it, you’ve got play and beat the best teams the further you go,” he said.
“It would be nice to say away from a team in our division but knowing our luck that’s exactly what we’ll get. You’ve got to play these teams so there’s no issue who we get.
“I want to take this club as far as I can in the FA Trophy. It’s the FA Cup for non-league teams, we’re in the top league, so we want to go as far as we can and win games.”
