Barnet 3 Ebbsfleet United 2 match report: Dominic Poleon scores twice for the Fleet, Nicke Kabamba hits hat-trick in National League

Ebbsfleet’s ‘all or nothing’ start to life in the National League continued at Barnet on Monday.

Dominic Poleon scored twice for the visitors but he was outgunned by Barnet striker Nicke Kabamba in an entertaining encounter at The Hive.

The Fleet made four changes from the team that brushed aside Kidderminster on Saturday.

Barnet started brightest and Harry Pritchard headed over a second-minute corner at the near post before his left-foot effort from the edge of the area was comfortably gathered by Fleet keeper Mark Cousins.

The Fleet were dealt a blow as early as the fifth minute when centre-back Jack Wakely went down near the halfway line and he was stretchered off, being replaced by Haydn Hollis.

Barnet’s Ben Coker and Nicke Kabamba both had cross-shots that became crosses to each other rather than shots on goal.

The Fleet took the lead with nearly their first meaningful attack. The impressive Ben Chapman did well to win the ball in his own half and strode forward before playing in Dominic Poleon. The Fleet’s leading scorer took one touch to get the ball out of his feet and then drilled home a stunning right-foot strike beyond keeper Laurie Walker.

Not for the first time this season it was another inconsistent refereeing performance. Shaq Coulthirst was bizarrely booked for a challenge on Dale Gorman, presumably after deciding the player stayed down for too long or on the advice of the fourth official.

When Pritchard wasted another good opening just before the break it looked as though the Fleet would get through to the break with their lead intact.

But in the final minute of eight added on - the majority for Wakely’s injury - a low cross from the right was headed in by the diving Kabamba to put Barnet on level terms.