Ebbsfleet United cancelled out Gillingham’s early opener to win Tuesday night’s Kent Senior Cup tie.
Alex Giles struck first but Gillingham’s former player Greg Cundle equalised for Ebbsfleet. Half-time substitute Jephte Tanga scored twice in the second half for the home side to complete the turnaround.
Both teams had received byes into the second round of the county competition.
Fleet were the 2023/24 season runners-up after reaching the final and losing 4-0 to Maidstone United at Hayes Lane.
Gillingham had youth boss Mark Moss in charge of a team that was a mix of young pros and under-18 players.
The Gills opened the scoring. Jonah Walker’s free-kick came off the post and Giles reacted quickest to score from close range, with just eight minutes played.
Joshua Bayliss forced Fleet keeper Dylan Berry into a fine save midway through the half
Cundle had an effort blocked and Jack Wakely went close for Fleet following a corner before the scores were levelled
Taite Holtam saved from Cundle but the Fleet striker got on the scoresheet soon after when Wesley Fonguck laid the ball off to him and he struck home with four minutes of the first half remaining
Stan Sargent fired wide for the Gills from close range just before the break.
Fleet were awarded a penalty 10 minutes after the restart.
Tanga was one of three players introduced by the hosts at the break and he made an instant impact. He was fouled inside the box and stepped up to score past Holtam from 12 yards.
The Gills keeper went the right way but was beaten by the pace of the shot. Tanga made it 3-1 seven minutes later, running onto a pass before firing home past Holtam for his second of the night.
Gillingham sub Ben Clark forced home keeper Berry into another good save late on with a shot from distance.
Ebbsfleet: Berry, Wakely (Manktelow 46mins), Olagunju, Omole, Anthony, Tanner, Fonguck (Domi 46mins), Lawson, Ondo (Dallison 68mins), Cundle, Randall (Tanga 46mins). Sub not used: Firth.
Gillingham: Holtam, Giles, Dobbs (Heasman 65mins), Gale, Webster, Waldock, Skipper, Bayliss (Clark 74mins), Walker, Bridle, Sargent (White 82mins). Subs not used: Sullivan, Orpwood.
Attendance: 410
