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Daryl McMahon on Ebbsfleet United's 2-1 defeat to AFC Wimbledon

Daryl McMahon admitted he was bored during Ebbsfleet's game against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

The Fleet boss wasn't impressed by what he saw during the first half of his team's final pre-season friendly at Stonebridge Road.

It finished 2-1 to the League 1 visitors with Ebbsfleet's goal another excellent free-kick from Jack Powell.

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Ebbsfleet manager Daryl McMahon Picture: Andy Payton
Ebbsfleet manager Daryl McMahon Picture: Andy Payton

McMahon said: "It’s a talent he’s got and he was excellent all game.

"In a very boring first half, he was one of the only ones for us who stood out, got on the ball and looked to probe like we normally do.

"I thought it was boring. I said to the players at half-time ‘I’m the manager and I don’t know about the supporters but I’m bored watching it.’

"It lacked any sort of thrust and cutting edge, what we’re about.

"We weren’t on the front foot but in the second half we definitely were better at that."

In general, Fleet's pre-season has been anything but dull given the quality of opposition.

McMahon's side played Shrewsbury during a week in Portugal and have since entertained a Tottenham XI, Southend, Cambridge and Wimbledon.

Results have been mixed but they weren't outclassed in any of those games.

McMahon said: "They throw up different problems that you’ve got to solve, defensively and offensively. In all the games, we’ve competed really well.

Jack Payne on the ball for Ebbsfleet against AFC Wimbledon Picture: Andy Payton
Jack Payne on the ball for Ebbsfleet against AFC Wimbledon Picture: Andy Payton

"There’s probably been a little difference in terms of finishing in terms of getting into the final third and being really clinical. Even Luke Coulson stretching for the ball and Barcham... It’s a fantastic finish.

"We’ve had an opportunity that we haven’t taken and you can see the difference in the levels.

"There’s nothing worse in pre-season than winning every game 3-0, 5-0, 6-0, whatever it might be, against lower opposition teams. You’ve got to test yourselves against sides at a higher level.

"I’m sure Neal (Ardley, the Wimbledon manager) will say the same. They’ve come to us and even though we are two levels below, we’ve given them a game.

"They can work on things themselves this week so I thought it was a good game.

"We’ve had a good pre-season in terms of performances, individually and collectively.

"We’ve got 21 players and two or three, if I’m being honest, were probably not at their maximum through pre-season.

"The rest of the players have been at the level you’d expect from them or a little bit above so I’ll have difficult choices to make for next week."

Ebbsfleet's first game back in the National League is away to Guiseley on Saturday.

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