Rakish Bingham on ending Ebbsfleet United’s 513-minute wait for a National League goal with winner against former club Hartlepool United

Rakish Bingham scored Ebbsfleet’s first goal for 513 minutes on Saturday – and then admitted he had no idea the wait was that long!

The Fleet’s last goal came in the 3-2 National League defeat at Yeovil last month. They failed to score in their next five matches and it wasn’t until Bingham’s deflected strike found the net against Hartlepool at the weekend that the drought was over.

“Really? I was totally unaware, that’s a crazy stat,” responded striker Bingham.

“It’s something that never really got discussed at all, I’d be lying if I said it did.

“Praise to God, they all count and I wasn’t fussed about how it went in, as long as it did.

“It’s something to build on and will fill me with confidence, especially after getting three points.

“Hartlepool is an old stomping ground so it’s always nice to notch a goal against your old team.”

It’s been a tough start to the campaign for the Fleet, the success over Hartlepool was their first at the ninth attempt.

“We’ve had a very slow start to the season that we didn’t want,” added Bingham. “It wasn’t ideal for us because we know what we’re capable of.

“When things aren’t going for you but you know what you’re capable of as a team, it’s a bit like a scratch your head moment.

“The most important thing in football is never stay too high and never get too low, just keep going and do the right things, and you will get rewarded eventually.”

As he did last season after returning from a long-term Achilles injury, Bingham has been a catalyst in turning the team’s fortunes around.

Few can link up play between midfield and attack as well as Bingham and he’s been able to have a quick impact, despite missing a large chunk of pre-season.

“As a player, the older I’ve become – I’m going to be 31