Burley Goal Sinks the Fleet!

Oxford City 1

Burley 36'

Ebbsfleet United 0

Andre Burley's first-half goal saw Oxford City beat their fellow promoted side from the National League South in Ebbsfleet United at the RAW Charging Stadium.

After a corner was cleared to the edge of the box, Nya Kirby's ball back into the box was flicked to Burley who finished past Cousins ten minutes before the break.

It wasn't all plain sailing though as the Fleet piled the pressure on after the break, but the Hoops held on to record their first double of the season.

Selection

After a heart breaking end to proceedings on Tuesday night against York City, Ross Jenkins made two changes to the line-up against Ebbsfleet.

There was an enforced change in goal with Chris Haigh unable to play against his parent club, with Marcin Brzozowski making his second appearance for the Hoops.

Opting to adjust the shape with one attacker, Alex Fisher dropped to the bench, with Renny Smith returning to the starting line-up after illness on Tuesday night.

Josh Ashby was a welcome return to the side on Tuesday, but the City boss still preferred not to risk him from the outset as he once again took his spot on the bench.

First-Half

City came out of the traps and almost created a chance in the opening seconds.

From Ebbsfleet's kick-off, Josh Parker charged down a clearance that saw him with the ball around 40-yards from goal. But unable to control instantly, the Fleet defence recovered in time to concede nothing more than a corner, which came to nothing.

Ebbsfleet's chances throughout the game came mainly outside the box throughout the game, with Dom Poleon with a shot straight at Marcin Brzozowski, and Omari Sterling-James firing an effort over the bar.

But it was with ten minutes of the half to go that the match defining moment came.

After a corner was cleared to the edge of the box, Nya Kirby's shot back into the box was flicked on by Reece Fleet to Burley who had beaten the offside flag, and he made no mistake to slot past Mark Cousins.

Second-Half

Coming back out behind, the Fleet came out fighting and continually pressured the home defence for the majority of the second period.

But it would be the Hoops with the first chance of the half, as Ashby - who replaced Smith at half time - nicked the ball ahead of

Olagunju, with the midfielder squaring to Latrell Humphrey-Ewers, who stung the palms of Cousins.

Ebbsfleet were mostly restricted to efforts from range, with Craig Tanner and Darren McQueen both unable to keep their shots down to leave Brzozowski unchallenged.

When the Fleet were given a run at the defence, they were unable to take advantage. Poleon took advantage of a heavy touch from Canice Carroll and burst into the box, he delivered a cross into the centre, but the man arriving stepped over the ball allowing the defence to clear.

Williams-Bushell was then called to make an important block on the line when Dominic Samuel’s header at the far post was goalbound, with the ball bouncing before the Hoops could clear.

But as City were nearly home and dry, there was one more golden effort when Poleon was fouled on the edge of the area, with Luke O’Neill’s effort leaving Brzozowski well beaten, but thankfully for the City stopper came crashing off the crossbar.

The Hoops managed the five added minutes well, and held the ball in the corner for periods, but there would be one final foray forwards for the away side through Poleon down the right, but his driven cross was well handled by the City stopper.

Despite results around meaning the Hoops are still at the bottom of the National League table, it's a result which may prove key later in the season.

Next up, it's Kidderminster away next Saturday, but we return to the RAW Charging Stadium on Saturday 17th February when we welcome Southend United to Oxford.

Match Details

Attendance: 1,171 (171 Ebbsfleet United)

Oxford City Starting XI: 

Brzozowski; Burley, Carroll, Roberts; Williams-Bushell, Fleet, Kirby (Fisher 89’), Roddy; Smith (Ashby 46’), Humphrey-Ewers (Potter 80’); Parker. 

Subs not used: Moore, Croker

Ebbsfleet United XI: 

Cousins; O’Neill, Olagunju, Chapman, Kenlock; Sterling-James  (Edser 46), Wright (McQueen 46), Tanner (Samuel 60), Cisse, Poleon; Bingham

Subs not used: Domi, Clifford