Today also happens to be the day where we unveiled a big new signing to the media. I showed Michael Woods off to the three journalists in attendance, telling them all about my respect for the lad and how great he'll be for the club. They kept asking about finances—do we need to sell anyone?—and whether there's any internal drama related to the deal. Bloody journalists, always looking for a story with a bit of controversy.
I made several changes to the team. Halstead got his long-awaited debut as he stepped in for the misfiring Anyon between the sticks. Shuker reverted to his favoured role on the right side of midfield. Russell returned to the side and took his place on the left wing. Koroma moved up to striker. And Rodney dropped out entirely—Pacquette preferred as the striker on the bench.
It's too soon for Woods, along with recently-injured Kanouté and Smith—they'll all start for the Reserves in a friendly in a couple of days. Bore and Olembé, meanwhile, are still away from the club. Bore will be back for the next match; Olembé's got another nine days on his leave of absence (then it's anyone's guess what happens with the brilliant Cameroonian).
Koroma put us in front in the 7th minute, breaking his eight-and-a-half game scoring drought (he played on the wing for most of those). Barnes-Homer picked up the ball deep on the left wing, then ran forward before cutting inside and crossing with his right foot towards the six-yard box. Koroma flicked it past the keeper.
We added a second 12 minutes later. Shuker took a free kick from the left wing, ten yards shy of the goal line. He crossed speculatively to the near post, where Marques came steaming in to convert a powerful header from close range. The Ebbsleet defenders didn't track him.
Richardson nearly made it three with a long-range effort on 21 minutes. We were dominating the match, and looking great value for it. A great passing move ended with a shot wide of the target from Koroma on 26 minutes.
Shuker got a rare header off on goal after half an hour, rising on the far post to meet Russell's cross. The diminutive winger could only place his header into the Ebbsfleet keeper's grateful arms, however.
But Koroma popped up again in the 35th minute to make it 3-0. Barnes-Homer received the ball on the halfway line, dribbled forward a few metres, then slid it through for Koroma, who raced into the box and slotted the ball calmly into the bottom corner.
Ebsfleet pulled one back in the 54th minute, thanks to some lax defending. Shuker gave Lough too much space on the wing, allowing the Ebbsleet full back to cross from deep. Neither Park nor Marques picked up West, who volleyed first-time past Halstead.
I took Power off after that. The midfielder hadn't been pulling his weight, and looked complacent out there.
At the other end, Russell hit the bar with a close-range header in the 59th minute. Then on 65 minutes a wayward header from Lough allowed Shuker to get in behind the Ebbsfleet defence. Shuker went to the byline and cut back for Barnes-Homer, but the striker scuffed his shot. With two-thirds of the goal open, the ball harmlessly bounced and rolled into the goalkeeper's hands.
A tired-looking Park made way for Nutter on 72 minutes. I wanted fresh running at the back.
Koroma was playing with a lot of heart. On 76 minutes he sprinted some 30-or-so yards to close down an Ebbsfleet defender, winning a free kick near the edge of the box in the process.
Ebbsfleet had a goal disallowed in the 77th minute for offside. I looked on worried about how easily they opened up our defence.
Shuker made way for 16-year-old Robert Taylor in the 84th minute. The youngster impressed last time out; I hoped for more of the same. He didn't get much of a chance to make an impact, however, as Ebbsfleet earned a flurry of corners and the match turned cagey in the closing stages.
We took out the game 3-1. Koroma received a well-deserved man of the match award, although the highlight for me was evidence that Barnes-Homer can act as provider as well as finisher of goal-scoring chances.
Mansfield slipped up, drawing 1-1 at home against Forest Green, so we close to within two points of the league leaders.
I sung Koroma's praises in the post-match press conference. I would have sung Barnes-Homer's praises, too, but nobody let me. I'm not very happy with journalists today.
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