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Fleet complete memorable Trophy comeback

Ebbsfleet's Michael Gash holds the ball up against Wrexham on Tuesday night Picture: Matthew Reading
Ebbsfleet's Michael Gash holds the ball up against Wrexham on Tuesday night Picture: Matthew Reading

Ebbsfleet 3 Wrexham 1

Holders Ebbsfleet came from behind to book a semi-final date with Stevenage after a rousing FA Trophy quarter-final win over Wrexham on Tuesday night.

They saw off Dean Saunders' Wrexham at Stonebridge Road with a flourish in front of a disappointing crowd of less than 1,000, and it was fitting two of the stars on the night were both members of the winning side against Torquay.

Popular French defender Sacha Opinel and Luke Moore endured a night of mixed emotions. Opinel, an early substitute for Derek Duncan, gifted Jefferson Louis the 51st-minute opener with a howler, while Luke Moore saw his spot-kick saved by Gavin Ward, 11 minutes later, before putting Fleet ahead with a superb strike.

Then new signing John Martin, twice a Trophy winner with Grays, blasted home the third from 25 yards eight minutes from the end to cap a great home debut, and set-up a two-legged semi-final against 2007 winners Stevenage.

Fleet had the best of the chances before the break, before Opinel inexplicably headed the ball into the path of Louis to score.

Opinel could only stand with his head in hands in the penalty box, but was grateful to see Guiseppe Sole put the Fleet level seven minutes later with an angled drive.

Two minutes later, former Gills midfielder Andrew Crofts brought down Neil Barrett in the box, but Moore's kick was straight at Ward.

Opinel then had two close-range shots blocked by the keeper, before the tie turned Fleet's way in a matter of minutes. First Moore blasted home inside the near post, and then Martin produced another great finish.

Stacy Long then danced his way through to score a fourth, only to have it ruled out for handball by referee Simon Beck.

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