Fleet heading to Gloucestershire after Cheltenham force replay

Posted Sunday, November 11, 2018 by PA

Ebbsfleet were close to beginning life under new boss Garry Hill with an FA Cup first-round upset, but Cheltenham held on to earn a replay after a goalless draw.

The Vanarama National League club were the better side at the Kuflink Stadium, but they must now win in Gloucestershire if they are to make the second round for the first time since changing their name from Gravesend and Northfleet in 2007.

Hill’s new charges were on top for most of the first period and Scott Flinders turned a low effort from Corey Whitely around a post in the 16th minute.

Cheltenham lost captain Johnny Mullins to injury midway through the half after an aerial collision with Danny Kedwell.

The Kent side continued to ask some serious questions of their Sky Bet League Two visitors, with Luke Coulson volleying a cross from Myles Weston over the bar.

Kedwell nodded a cross from the impressive Weston just wide of the left post.

Flinders had to make another save from Whitely in the 39th minute, diving low to his left as it remained goalless at the break.

Cheltenham improved slightly in the second half, with Luke Varney seeing an effort deflected over the bar and Ben Tozer heading Chris Hussey’s corner just wide of the far post, but neither side could find a breakthrough and they will do it all again on November 20.