Ebbsfleet manager Daryl McMahon hailed his team as “outstanding” after Saturday’s 3-1 win over Maidenhead at Stonebridge Road.

The Fleet started slowly but soon enjoyed a scintillating first half performance with goals from Matt Godden and Jordan Parkes exposing poor defending from the away side. 

Maidenhead started the brighter of the two sides after the interval, pulling one back through Dave Tarpey.

But Ebbsfleet’s class shone through, as Godden doubled his tally by connecting with Parkes’ free-kick midway through the second half to restore the two-goal cushion.

Fleet’s performance was too much for Maidenhead manager Alan Devonshire, who was sent to the stands.

But opposite number McMahon was gleaming after the final whistle, especially delighted with his side’s display in the first 45 minutes.

He said: “I thought in the first half we were excellent.

“They put us under a lot of pressure at the start of the second half, but I think after 65 minutes we took control of the game again and could have got a couple more goals.”

“We played some really good football in the first half, we moved the ball really well through the midfield.”

Despite their first half dominance, Fleet dropped off after the break and the manager was keen to address that afterwards.

McMahon said: “I thought in the second half we probably lacked a bit of the intensity that we had in the first half.

“They pressed up higher up the pitch - and we have to recognise that if we are being pressed higher up the pitch we might have to go a little bit longer.”

Ebbsfleet have been earmarked as one of the leading contenders to win the Conference South this season because of their strength in depth.

And the point was demonstrated again on Saturday as McMahon utilised all three of his substitutes.

He said: “The thing for us is that we have got terrific players on the bench.

“If I was a Maidenhead player and I saw Robbie Willmott, Adam Cunnington and Danny Haynes coming on with their pace, strength and power, I would not be looking forward to it.”

McMahon did confirm, however, some of his players would be loaned out in the next few weeks.

Ebbsfleet face Margate away on Saturday, a team without a win who have not scored in their last five games.

But McMahon is still wary of the threat posed by their Kentish hosts.

“They have not been on a good run but they have got good players,” the Fleet chief added.

“We know eventually they are going to win and we do not want that to be against us.”

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt