Ebbsfleet United 2 Faversham Town 1 match report: FA Cup third qualifying round win after goals from Kwesi Appiah and Tom Dallison

Ebbsfleet were made to work hard by Faversham Town in a keenly-contested Kent FA Cup derby on Saturday.

The hosts appeared to be cruising through their third qualifying round tie but the Lilywhites pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time to set up a tense second half.

Ebbsfleet made eight changes from last weekend’s National League South defeat at Torquay, with only Ben Coker, Aaron Cosgrave and Mustapha Olaganju keeping their places.

The new-look side immediately settled and took just four minutes to find the breakthrough.

Tom Dallison’s header had already been saved before Josh Passley set up Kwesi Appiah to produce a clinical right-foot finish beyond keeper Roshan Greensall.

Aaron Cosgrave then burst through but it needed an excellent block by former Gills defender Callum Davies to deny him.

Ebbsfleet’s pressure produced a string of corners with Jamie Fielding’s header saved before Appiah and Passley were denied by Greensall in quick succession.

Faversham lost right-back Brad Sims to a pulled hamstring on 20 minutes, with Ethan Smith dropping into defence and Kieron Campbell introduced.

But the one-way traffic continued and it was no surprise when the hosts doubled their advantage as Dallison headed in from close range from another precise Coker corner.

A flowing Fleet move nearly produced a third goal but Ben Chapman’s long-range drive came back off the inside of the upright.

Faversham had hardly produced an attack of note but they were back in the game on the stroke of half-time.

A long throw by Tommy Fagg fell perfectly for Nathan Wood, whose right-foot shot was beaten away by keeper Gio Bellagambi.

Fleet scrambled the ball behind but then conceded from the corner as Wood’s delivery went straight in at the