Ebblsfleet manager Daryl McMahon is hoping his side can bounce back from an opening day defeat when they travel to East London to face Leyton Orient on Tuesday. McMahon’s side face three promotion contenders in their opening six games but is confident his side can pick up some points. Speaking to BBC Radio Kent “We know we’ve got a tough start but we’ll pick up points, don’t worry about that”.

Ebbsfleet’s August Fixtures and Results

The Fleet’s campaign started with a defeat to Chesterfield; a second half Zavon Hines penalty was the difference. McMahon thought his side played well in the first period but rued his sides wastefulness in front of goal in the second period. Speaking to BBC Radio Kent “in the second half, we lacked a bit of flow to our game, we still managed to get around their box numerous times but we were not ruthless enough, we had too many shots off target”.

Striker Danny Kedwell echoed his managers comments and admitted it was a tough afternoon for his side. Speaking to BBC Radio Kent “it was frustrating, especially with the chances we had today, we had a lot more than they did and it just weren’t our day. So there’s a frustration to lose the game by a penalty as well. Apart from one chance they had, it’s all they had”.

• Unbeaten in last nine away competitive games (90 minutes only) – W5  D4
• One defeat in last ten on their travels (3-0 Tranmere, 03/03/2018) W5  D4 L1

It was an off day for Ebbsfleet who had scored in 15 of their last 16 competitive games before Saturday. Kedwell highlighted that with quality his side possesses in their team, they have to do better in the coming weeks, “we had loads of chances outside the box. We must have had six or seven good chances, I think normally we hit the target but we didn’t today. With the quality we have in our team, we have got to start at least hitting the target”.

• Ebbsfleet have scored in seven of their last eight competitive away games

McMahon took four points off Orient last season but is expecting a testing evening in East London. With Orient’s clash with Salford live on BT Sport, McMahon stated to BBC Radio Kent “they are a good side and picked up a good point today, I watched a lot of their game in the office and they probably should of won it. They’re all hard games,  it doesn’t matter who, where or when they all tough games”.

Results last season

Defeat on Tuesday will signal the first time Fleet have lost back to back games at the start of the season since 2011. However, McMahon highlights that one result will not shape their season and there is a long way to go, “it’s a long season, there are 45 games to go and we’ll look forward to that. We have played some good stuff today and we have to build on what we’ve done with the good stuff and eradicate the bad stuff”

Tuesday’s visit to Orient will signal a return to their former clubs for McMahon, Aaron McClean and summer signing Ebou Adams. Adams spent the second half of last season on loan in E10 but chose to sign for Fleet in the summer. McMahon is aware that his no 8 may receive some stick but stated to ebbsfleetunited.co.uk “he’s just got to play the game and focus on playing well. He’s at Ebbsfleet now, he can forget what anyone at Orient thinks about him and do in the 90 minutes, what we know he is capable off”.

Ebbsfleet’s Summer Signings

Team News

Dean Rance is side lined through injury while Kenny Clark looks set to miss out. Ebou Adams look set to start against his old club while Michael Cheek will be looking to keep his place in attack. Luke Coulson will be hoping for a recall to the squad after sitting out the defeat to Chesterfield on Saturday.