Ebbsfleet United 3 Boreham Wood 1 match report: Darren McQueen (2) and Luke O’Neill score in National League win

Ebbsfleet posted their first win in six National League games to defeat 10-man Boreham Wood at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

It was a deserved three points for Dennis Kutrieb’s side who showed glimpses of their early-season form to comfortably take all three points.

The Fleet made two changes from Tuesday’s home loss to Dorking. Captain Chris Solly and Darren McQueen returned with Nathan Odokonyero and Toby Edser dropping to the bench.

Nathan Ashmore, Jack Payne and Tyrone Marsh were the former Fleet players in the Boreham Wood line-up.

Referee Aaron Farmer, in his first season at this level, brandished three yellow cards to Wood players inside the first eight minutes.

Angelo Balanta was booked for dissent, Erico Sousa and Femi Ilesanmi were both cautioned for fouls on the impressive McQueen.

Luke O’Neill sent a 20-yard free-kick wide and Franklin Domi’s low shot was blocked by keeper Ashmore as the home side made a positive start.

At the other end, Wood’s clearest opening saw Lee Ndlovu head a Sousa cross straight at keeper Mark Cousins.

The deadlock was broken on 21 minutes when Ashmore had to punch away an inswinging Domi corner. The ball fell to McQueen and when his shot was blocked, O’Neill followed up to fire high into the roof of the net.

EIther side of the goal Ben Chapman and Josh Wright were more names added to the referee’s notepad.

Domi provided an inch-perfect cross as the Fleet doubled their lead on 31 minutes. His cross was just over the head of Ilesanmi and perfect for McQueen to take forward and slot confidently past Ashmore.

It seemed all the worries of the past few games were behind the Fleet but they were caught napping five minutes later when Balanta found the bottom corner from 25 yards.

On-loan