Phipp's goals against Dorchester impressed manager Liam Daish

Ebbsfleet midfielder Tom Phipp says his rivalry with team-mate Michael West is helping in their push for promotion.

The pair came through the Fleet's youth system together, and while West has scored 13 goals so far this season, Phipp has netted seven times.

"We've always got a competition going on but it's more of a healthy rivalry," the 18-year-old told BBC Radio Kent.

"We always talk about how many goals we've set up for each other and how many we've scored ourselves."

Phipp, who was a trainee at Arsenal before joining the Fleet's youth system, scored two wonder goals in their 3-2 win over Dorchester on Saturday and admits he would love to overtake his team-mates' tally come the end of the season.

We've got a good squad and there's always someone behind you who's giving you a kick to let you know they're there Tom Phipp

"I'm going to push him as hard as I can," said Phipp.

"Whether I can get them or not is a different matter because he's playing a lot higher up the field so he's going to get more chances.

"But I'm going to push him as hard as I can."

Phipp thinks their almost telepathic understanding will help the Fleet go straight back up to the Blue Square Bet Premier, after being relegated last season.

"I spent a year with him in the youth team and so I've come into the first team already knowing him and I've been able to bond with him really well," said Phipp.

"We've got a good squad and there's always someone behind you who's giving you a kick to let you know they're there, so you've just got to keep on performing."

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