Having fallen behind after 13 minutes with Daniel Ogunleye striking for the hosts, Reiss Elliott-Parris levelled the scores just 34 seconds after coming off the bench with 26 minutes played.
With just six minutes remaining of the first half though, the hosts would find what turned out to be the the game's match winner as Olly Box turned the ball home from a tight angle.
The game saw our new Nike 2026/27 Home shirt in action for the first time while recent arrival Cole Ramsey made his first appearance for the Under-21s.
While this was our pre-season opener, it was hosts Ebbsfleet's fifth of July already, and it was noticeable. We started the game tentatively while the Kent side were on the front foot from the off.
A side who like to play with pace and power, getting the ball in behind the defence, that was their game plan and it was a threat to us throughout the first period. In the opening exchanges, their balls over the top or threaded passes through the middle caused issues for our high line and, on 13 minutes, we eventually paid for that when Ogunleye was played in. The forward taking a touch before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Sam Archer.
We responded well though and found parity just before the half-hour mark. The goal came through Elliott-Parris and it must have come from just his second or third touch in the game. Brought on for Miracle Adewole just 34 seconds earlier, the forward picked the ball up on the right-hand side of the box, cut inside before curling with his left into the far corner of the net.
That goal however seemed just a brief moment of success for us as Ebbsfleet kicked on once again from that moment. They came inches away from retaking the lead moments later when Ben Chapman volleyed over the bar before they did find the advantage through substitute Olly Box on 39 minutes. In similar fashion to their opener, the ball was once again threaded through our backline for Box to run onto, Archer seemed to do enough to put off the forward as he rushed forward forced him wide of goal. Yet, even with three defenders back on the line and at a tight angle, Box still managed to hook the ball home.
With many, many changes made to both sides after the break - as is part of the course in pre-season - the rhythm of the game took a hit leaving play a tad fractured. It wasn't until the closing stages where any real chances were created. The majority of those came the way of Ebbsfleet, who had by this point changed their full XI, but we stood firm, performing admirably defensively to keep the Fleet at bay.
Next up for our Under-21s is a trip to Boreham Wood on Tuesday evening - kick-off 7.30pm (UK).