Ebbsfleet United 6 Hampton & Richmond Borough 2 match report: Dominic Poleon scores hat-trick for National League South leaders

Dominic Poleon bagged a hat-trick as Ebbsfleet came from behind to trounce struggling Hampton at Stonebridge Road.

The Fleet moved through the gears in National League South after a slow start, extending their advantage at the top of the table to 11 points as Dartford dropped points at Braintree.

Ebbsfleet made four changes from the team that drew 0-0 at 10-man Chippenham in midweek.

But they were given a rude awakening in the opening exchanges. Haydn Hollis gave possession away cheaply after three minutes but Sam Deadfield narrowly shot wide from the edge of the box.

Hampton went ahead on six minutes when Connor Kurran-Browne’s excellent cross from the right was met by Ruaridh Donaldson, whose looping header went over keeper Mark Cousins.

Ebbsfleet never really got going, their play lacked tempo but Hampton – coming into the game on an 11-game winless league run – were never likely to hold out for long.

Debutant keeper Endurance Johnson, having earlier fumbled a driven cross, made a fine one-handed save to deny Dominic Poleon while Omari Sterling-James looked lively down the right for the hosts.

Referee Harry Wager, taking charge of Hampton on their travels for the fourth time this season, booked Luke Jenkins and Kurran-Browne in the opening half-hour for taking out Fleet wing-back Greg Cundle.

Ebbsfleet levelled it up on 36 minutes. The referee pointed to the spot when Toby Edser was fouled in the box. The Fleet have missed four spot-kicks this season so duties were given to Poleon, who opted to drill low and hard through the middle to level the scores.

The hosts felt midfielder Billy Clifford was unfortunate to be booked when he appeared to win the ball against Jenkins in a 50/50 challenge.

But they were soon ahead,