Ebbsfleet United 1 Chippenham Town 0 match report: Substitute Aaron Cosgrave wins it as Fleet make it two National League South victories from two

Substitute Aaron Cosgrave’s second-half goal ensured Ebbsfleet won their first National League South home match of the season against Chippenham on Saturday.

He netted in the 72nd minute to make it two victories in two for the Fleet this campaign as it finished 1-0 to them at Stonebridge Road.

The Fleet had created the first opportunity as midfielder George Moncur curled narrowly wide of keeper Will Henry’s left-hand post in the second minute.

Seven minutes later, striker Sol Wanjau-Smith burst forward, only for his effort to be straight at goalkeeper Mark Cousins.

Josh Wright’s hosts were forced into an early substitution when left-sided player Ben Coker hobbled off and was replaced by Toby Edser in the 16th minute. Edser went to a central midfield position while Ben Chapman drifted out wide.

Cousins was adjudged to have made a fingertip save to thwart Reece Fleet in front of a 1,275-strong attendance.

On the half-hour mark, Olaf Koszela nodded over Caine Bradbury’s corner at the far post for Chippenham before experienced holding midfielder Fleet sent an effort flashing wide from long distance.

Ebbsfleet striker Dominic Samuel failed to test Henry with a powerful attempt.

But Gary Hogan’s troops again went close at the end of the opening 45 minutes. Tom Owen-Evans blasted straight at Cousins, with Wanjau-Smith having glided through.

Eight minutes after the restart, the home team had a goal disallowed. Samuel steered in Chapman’s right-wing delivery but the assistant referee had raised his flag.

Ebbsfleet continued to knock on the door and went close again shortly before the hour.

With left-back Ethan Vaughan off the pitch, having got treatment, Henry made a point-blank save to deny Josh Coley from Seaman’s left-wing