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Ebbsfleet United boss Daryl McMahon looks ahead to the visit of Gateshead

00:00, 25 August 2017

Daryl McMahon has called for Ebbsfleet to build on their good start to the season when they host Gateshead on Saturday.

Fleet remain unbeaten in the National League although they've drawn four of their five games and trail Heed by two points.

But only two teams have outscored Ebbsfleet so far and boss McMahon is happy with the way his side have adapted to life in a new division.

Danny Kedwell crosses during Ebbsfleet's 3-3 draw with AFC Fylde Picture: Andy Payton
Danny Kedwell crosses during Ebbsfleet's 3-3 draw with AFC Fylde Picture: Andy Payton

He said: "We could easily have nicked more points than we have but we have to be positive because we’ve been good in all the games. We’ve played some good stuff, had chances and we have to build on it and evolve.

"We’ve been terribly unlucky in terms of injuries over the last week but they’re part of football and we’ve reacted well to that in the sense that the lads who’ve come in have played well.

"We’re happy with where we’re at and we want to build on what we’ve done.

"We’ve got a big game at home against Gateshead, who beat Macclesfield 3-0 last week. I’ve watched the video and they’re a good side, a big, powerful side who have got some very good players.

"I like Russell Penn. I played against him many years ago when I was at Stevenage and he was at Kidderminster. He’s an industrious player.

"Patrick McLaughlin's a left-footed midfield player with lots of talent and the two front boys run the channels well. They’ve got some good players.

"Everyone in the division is decent to be fair. I probably sound like a broken record saying it but they are. Everyone’s got good players, everyone can hurt you - but we can hurt teams as well.

"We’re at home and like we always do, we’ll be looking to go on the front foot."

Ebbsfleet boss Daryl McMahon Picture: Andy Payton
Ebbsfleet boss Daryl McMahon Picture: Andy Payton

It's more than nine months since Ebbsfleet lost at Stonebridge Road although they needed a last-minute equaliser last time out to preserve that record in a 3-3 draw with AFC Fylde.

McMahon said: "We’ve had two games at home and got four points.

"When we’ve scored first, we’ve won and that’s another big factor as well. It makes it harder when you’re chasing every game. When teams are decent and they’ve got decent players it makes it harder for you but we’ve shown unbelievable character in those moments and losing key players.

"It’s important we understand that as well that we’re without our leader (Dave Winfield) and without Clarky (Kenny Clark). As well as Yads (Yado Mambo) and Mags (Sam Magri) have done, you can’t get away from the fact they’re a huge part of our team and the success we’ve had over the last 18 months.

"The lads have shown terrific character and we’ll build on what we’ve done.

"I would like more points because I think we deserve more points but we’re in August. We’ve had five games in a new division and we can’t get too carried away at Ebbsfleet like we normally do.

"We’re in a new division and we’re unbeaten so we’ll look to build on it."

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