8 March 2008
VIDEO: Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Aldershot Town

Liam Daish's Ebbsfleet side will take a 3-1 lead into the Second Leg - click here for highlights.

Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Aldershot Town
The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Semi-Final, First Leg
12noon, Saturday 8 March 2008
Stonebridge Road, Ebbsfleet United FC
Winning clubs receive £16,000
Click here for fixtures

Ebbsfleet United are within touching-distance of Wembley after shocking Conference Premier League leaders Aldershot Town 3-1 in a pulsating encounter at Stonebridge Road.

Chris McPhee gave Liam Daish's (pictured below) team an early lead from the penalty spot after Chukki Eribenne had been pushed over by David Winfield.

And after dominating the first period, McPhee made it two out of two from the spot eight minutes before the break.

Aldershot centre-half Anthony Charles was lucky to stay on the pitch after tripping John Akinde when through on goal, but McPhee made no mistake to deservedly send the home side into the dressing room two goals to the good.

Shots boss Gary Waddock made three changes at half-time and his side came out fighting for the second half.

The visitors produced several good chances, but England C goalkeeper Lance Cronin was in fine form in the Fleet goal to frustrate them until Junior Mendes forced the ball home from a Scott Davies free-kick on 75 minutes.

But the Kent side restored their two-goal advantage just three minutes later. Stacy Long whipped a ball in from the left, Akinde headed down and skipper Paul McCarthy came up from the back to send more than 2,000 Fleet fans away dreaming of a Wembley final.

The teams now go back to Aldershot for the second leg next Saturday.