Ebbsfleet United 1 Barnet 2 match report: Home loss for Fleet in National League at Stonebridge Road despite substitute Dominic Poleon’s late penalty in much-improved display

Ebbsfleet’s first home National League match of the season ended in defeat against much-fancied Barnet on Saturday.

With both sides having lost on the opening day and looking to bounce back, it was the Bees who did so as attacker Callum Stead struck twice despite Ebbsfleet substitute Dominic Poleon’s stoppage-time penalty.

Away forward Nicke Kabamba had the first opportunity at Stonebridge Road. He was denied by Ebbsfleet keeper Mark Cousins after a nice through-ball from Zak Brunt in the second minute of the match.

Four minutes later, home striker Kwame Thomas picked up the game’s first caution off referee Steven Copeland for a late challenge.

And the 21st minute then saw visiting appeals for Thomas to be dismissed after he lost out in an aerial challenge turned down. Referee Mr Copeland opted to just give the 28-year-old a warning.

Dominic Samuel was in the thick of the action on the half-hour mark.

He fired inches wide of Nick Hayes’ right-hand post with a long-range shot but, having ripped his shirt in the attack, he was swiftly back in the action as he got booked for a late challenge in midfield.

The Fleet went close on 40 minutes when Thomas glanced wide Ben Chapman’s right-wing cross after a fine ball forward from midfield had started the attack.

But only three minutes later, the Bees drew first blood.

Stead wriggled free to blast past home keeper Cousins after good work by Billy Clifford to give them a half-time lead, with the officials heading off to plenty of stick from the home fans at the interval shortly after.

Ebbsfleet boss Danny Searle made a half-time switch, which saw Poleon replace Thomas.

There was a booking for Clifford against his former club shortly before the hour mark and that was followed by