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Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb reacts to 0-0 draw with Hemel Hempstead in National League South

Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb had nothing to moan about despite seeing his side draw a blank on Saturday.

It was only the second time that the Fleet have failed to score at home in National League South this season as visitors Hemel Hempstead defended stoutly to claim a goalless draw.

Ebbsfleet striker Dominic Poleon is thwarted by Hemel Hempstead keeper Craig King in the first half. Picture: Ed Miller/EUFC
Ebbsfleet striker Dominic Poleon is thwarted by Hemel Hempstead keeper Craig King in the first half. Picture: Ed Miller/EUFC

But Kutrieb’s mood may have been heartened by dropped points from the chasing pack, that leaves Ebbsfleet with a 15-point lead at the top and just 10 games left to play.

“There’s nothing to moan for me, we did everything right,” said Kutrieb. “Yes, you can always do better, but we had so many box entries and they had so many bodies there, they defended with everything.

“It was a bit unlucky for us but that’s how football works sometimes. You just have to do things the right way and then you will get the benefit.

“I don’t know if we have had such a dominant performance against 11 players for 90 minutes during the season. If we put these performances in during the last 10 games then we don’t need to be worried.”

Kutrieb felt that if the Fleet had got one goal, then more would have followed. He was left frustrated by a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Farnborough in midweek but was pleased that his side hardly allowed Hemel an attack worthy of the name at the weekend.

“I think we created enough to get one goal, and if you get one then they come out and you can score two or three,” added the Fleet boss.

“Maybe the little last decision was not always right, I don’t know how many missed opportunities we had or clear-cut chances, maybe not as many as we normally do, but it was still more than enough to win this game.

“I was frustrated on Tuesday because it was a big chance for us to put two more points on the board, today we did everything right and entered the box 50 times.

“We literally bombarded them in the second half and if you don’t take your chances, and it won’t happen very often this season, then make sure you go home with a 0-0 draw and I’ll take that.

“It’s still on us. We had enough chances to score. Everyone tried hard and pushed for 90 minutes. Credit to them, they defended with everything they had.

“I have to moan about the set pieces because if you have 14 corners then you need to be a bigger threat, that’s definitely something we need to get better on and get the deliveries right as we couldn’t even beat the man on the front post.”

Kutrieb confirmed that player/coach Chris Solly could return from injury on Tuesday night when they host Worthing.

The Fleet boss also reported a clean bill of health on defender Joe Martin, who was substituted at half-time against Hemel on his return from injury.

“The plan was 45 to 60 minutes for Joe, we said after 45 that it was enough,” added Kutrieb.

“It was good to have him back on the pitch and that was nice for him as we don’t want him to be back injured after being out since January 1.”

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