A frantic match saw 10-man Ebbsfleet beat goalkeeper-less St Albans City on Tuesday in National League South. The Fleet were already 2-0 ahead through efforts from Haydn Hollis and Dominic Poleon before the away side lost goalkeeper Michael Johnson to injury - with no replacement on the bench - and another player not long after.
Top scorer Poleon added a third before half-time and, despite a poor second period which saw Shaun Jeffers score for the Saints and Ebbsfleet’s Ben Chapman controversially sent off, Fleet held on to win 3-1.
Both teams created half-chances at Stonebridge Road in front of a crowd of 1,145 inside a lively first four minutes. Attacking midfielder Zane Banton whipped in a left-wing cross for the visitors which evaded everyone before a St Albans defender charged down a Kieran Monlouis effort.
Four minutes later, Ebbsfleet’s Chapman went for a spectacular overhead kick, only to hit the side-netting. More good play in the 10th minute down the home side’s right saw the ball eventually come to Luke O’Neill.