Ebbsfleet United 0 Hemel Hempstead Town 0 match report: National League South stalemate after red card for Hemel’s Marshall Francis

Ebbsfleet were left frustrated after failing to break down the 10 men of Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday night.

It was only the Fleet’s second game of the season in National League South but they had the upper hand and were just unable to find the finish in front of goal.

Ebbsfleet boss Josh Wright made two changes from the side that won at Walton & Hersham last Saturday.

There was a Fleet debut for Harvey Walker and a first start for Camron Gbadebo with Finlay Barnes and Will Tizzard dropping to the bench.

Ebbsfleet had the first effort at goal when Josh Passley’s drive was deflected wide for a corner. That delivery was only half-cleared and Ben Chapman’s spectacular overhead kick produced a fine save from keeper Michael Johnson.

Chapman fizzed a 20-yard drive just wide of the post before he got clattered after getting his shot away.

Hemel had a good shape and discipline about their defending but offered little in front of goal. Their best opening came on 24 minutes when Dominic Samuel coughed up possession and with Ronny Nelson out of position,Remaye Campbell raced clear but lacked any power behind his right-foot shot to seriously test Fleet keeper Will Buse.

Ebbsfleet had what appeared to be a great shout for a penalty turned down five minutes before the break when Samuel set up Passley, who seemed to be fouled just as he was about to shoot.

The game exploded into life with an off-the-ball incident on 53 minutes. Hemel’s Marshall Francis kicked out at Fleet’s Passley off the ball and the clash carried on for some time before the referee halted proceedings. Unfortunately for Francis the flare-up occurred right in front of the assistant referee.

Referee Henry Harvey also consulted with the fourth official before showing