A tense National League encounter at the Kuflink Stadium saw Ebbsfleet United grind out a crucial 1-0 victory against AFC Fylde, offering a flicker of hope in their challenging season. The first half was a cagey affair, with chances at a premium for both sides. A tactical substitution saw Ebbsfleet replace defender Lewis Page with Josh Passley in the 35th minute, but neither side could break the deadlock before the interval. Fylde also made a change at half-time, withdrawing Nick Haughton for Will Hugill in a bid to invigorate their midfield.
The second half, however, sprung to life just three minutes after the restart. A well-constructed move in the 48th minute culminated in Franklin Domi assisting Alex Lankshear, who calmly slotted the ball home to give the home side the lead. The goal prompted a flurry of substitutions. Ebbsfleet introduced Rakish Bingham for Alexander Moaid Goria Aoraha and later Kwame Thomas for Aaron Cosgrave, aiming to press home their advantage. Fylde responded with a quadruple substitution over two separate instances in the 72nd and 82nd minutes, bringing on Lincoln McFayden for Owen Evans, Danny Ormerod for Ashley Boatswain, Emeka Obi for Ethan Mitchell, and Dan Sassi for Max Bardell in a desperate search for an equaliser. Ebbsfleet also brought on Maxx Manktelow for George Moncur in the 86th minute.
The closing stages were frantic, with Fylde throwing men forward in search of a leveller. Their increasing frustration was evident in late bookings for Tyler Roberts in the 69th minute and Dan Sassi in the 95th minute, both for fouls. Ebbsfleet, meanwhile, defended resolutely, repelling Fylde’s attacks to secure a precious three points. The final whistle brought palpable relief for the home side, while Fylde were left to rue their missed opportunities. The victory, while not significantly altering Ebbsfleet’s precarious league position, provides a much-needed boost. For Fylde, the defeat was a setback, particularly given their earlier victory against Ebbsfleet this season. The head-to-head record between the two sides coming into the match consisted of one win apiece and a draw from their three previous meetings.