Bromley 5 Ebbsfleet United 1 match report: Luke O’Neill scores in National League defeat

Ebbsfleet remain in the National League relegation zone after losing to Bromley for the second time in less than a week.

The Fleet took an early lead but Bromley scored four goals in less than half an hour either side of the break, before rounding off a comprehensive win late on.

Ebbsfleet handed Rakish Bingham his first start since returning from long-term injury while Craig Tanner - no player has contributed more assists this season - was also named in the starting XI along with Darren McQueen. It marked a return to manager Dennis Kutrieb’s favoured three-man defence.

Bromley made one change from the side that won 3-2 at Stonebridge Road on Boxing Day with Myles Weston replacing Byron Webster, who was on the bench.

A bright Ebbsfleet start was rewarded after eight minutes when Tanner’s right-wing corner was met by the unmarked Luke O’Neill, whose diving header found the far corner.

There was an early injury to an assistant referee which saw fourth official Robert Claussen called into action to run the line.

It took Bromley 24 minutes to register their first shot on goal as keeper Mark Cousins had to save Lewis Leigh’s long-range shot.

Bromley were back on level terms five minutes later, though. Hayden White coughed up possession cheaply and Ben Krauhaus played the ball wide for Josh Passley to cross into the danger area where Michael Cheek headed in from close range.

The duo combined again on 34 minutes as Passley crossed from the right but Cousins managed to brilliantly turn over Cheek’s header.

Bromley went ahead three minutes before half-time. Cheek’s flick set up Corey Whitely, who ran at Josh Wright before teeing up Krauhaus to slot home.

It was nearly three a minute later but Cousins saved at his near post to