Ebbsfleet United boss Dennis Kutrieb says festive thrashings by Dartford reshaped club’s focus for title-clinching 19-game unbeaten run in National League South

Losing twice to rivals Dartford actually helped Ebbsfleet take the National League South by storm.

That's the verdict of Fleet boss Dennis Kutrieb, reflecting on their outstanding second half to the season as his side eventually finished 20 points clear of their rivals.

When Dartford beat Ebbsfleet 4-1 and 4-0 in the space of six days at the turn of the year it appeared the title race was well and truly on.

But Kutrieb’s men then went on a 19-match unbeaten run which saw them win the title on Good Friday against Oxford City.

“Maybe it helped that we got the heavy defeats against Dartford,” reflected Kutrieb. “Every one was a bit more aware, after we got two defeats against Dartford.

“We still had 15 wins at that stage and no-one could take them away from us. If we replicated that again then we would be promoted. Yes, we had four losses on the bounce, but we still had 15 wins.

“I don’t know if you have the same saying here but in Germany we say the glass is half full or half empty. This is exactly what I wanted to make sure, that our glass was still half full and not half empty just because we lost a few games.

“Obviously, you never want to lose against a rival but it doesn’t change the picture. We got our 15 wins and were promoted, and since then we just tried to break records.”

The Fleet drew a crowd of 3,131 to see them win the title against Oxford over Easter, and 2,155 watched their final day rout of Hungerford at Stonebridge Road.

It’s support that Kutrieb has never taken for granted, and he’s keen that they return in their numbers next season to inspire the Fleet to greater heights.

“Thank you to the fans,” he added. “It was outstanding again to have over 2,000 fans for the last game of the season.

“We need it even