Boro miss big opportunity to go top

Two goals from Stefan Bailey were enough to give Ebbsfleet the win against Boro tonight. Graham Westley’s side took the lead thanks to Yemi Odubade’s 21st minute strike and went into the break 1-0 up and looking on course to go top of the Conference table with Oxford losing at Crawley. However, former QPR midfielder Bailey popped up twice within 6 second half minutes to condemn Boro to their first defeat since August. It leaves Boro 5 points away from Oxford, who still have a game in hand.

Oxford, who had a chance to restore their 5 point lead, won away against Crawley Town. Thomas Pinault’s 17th minute strike looked to be enough to earn Steve Evans’s side all 3 points, but Adam Chapman hit a 83rd minute equaliser to save the U’s. Oxford then won it late on when James Constable scored. After 45 minutes it looked like it was going to be Boro’s night, but the second half couldn’t of gone worse for the Hertfordshire side as their lead was reversed and Oxford got a late winner. To add insult to injury, Michael Bostwick was booked late on and will now miss Saturday’s game against Kidderminster.

Graham Westley named arguably his strongest team available to him. Darren Murphy returned to the midfield alongside Joel Byrom and Michael Bostwick, while Ronnie Henry moved to right back. Charlie Griffin partnered Yemi Odubade in attack. Stacy Long returned to the squad to make the bench against his former club. Ebbsfleet welcomed back captain Darius Charles after his suspension. Boro were the better team in the first half, but again failed to turn the possession into goals. David Bridges, Charlie Griffin and Andy Drury were all guilty of missing opportunities before Yemi Odubade fired Boro into the lead. Yemi ran the show in the first half, but was then replaced by Mitchell Cole at half time.

Ebbsfleet were a different team in the second half. They got at Boro straight from the kick-off and had equalised within minutes of the restart when Stefan Bailey scored from close range. It sounded like Boro were shocked from the equaliser and they didn’t get hold of the game after the home side’s goal. Inevitably, Ebbsfleet added a second not long after when Bailey again finished from close range after a Peter Holmes free-kick. Within 5 minutes, Boro had gone from 1 point clear at the top of the Blue Square Premier to 2 points behind again. Westley brought on both Chris Beardsley and Stacy Long to try and push for an equaliser, but they couldn’t break through the Ebbsfleet defence and were beaten for the first time since a 2-1 defeat against Oxford in August.

The results tonight are a big blow to Boro’s title hopes, but they’re not over by any means. I’m still sure that Oxford will drop points as the season goes on and the main thing is making sure we are in a position to profit from any slip up they do have. We have the nucleus of a very good side at the moment, but I still think are missing a proven goalscorer. Griffin has done ok, but isn’t consistent enough. His performances in the last two games sums up his season so far. Hero Saturday against Salisbury, but back to the villain tonight after missing too many chances. Chris Beardsley is also not going to get you enough goals in a season. I would like us to strengthen this one area in January as the rest of the team is fine at the moment.  Next up Kidderminster at home and we need a good response.