Having cast an eye over the bulk of his first-choice players two days previously, Liam Daish mixed things up for this third pre-season friendly. Ex-Woking trialist Goma Lambu returned but the big news was the inclusion of ex-Charlton midfielder and former Fleet loanee Alex Stavrinou. After his goal against Leyton Orient, defender Nytram Dixon-Baker was back, as was James Brown. And for Fleet fans it was their first sighting of the new home shirts, minus sponsor at present.
And a goalless first half with few bright spots – either on the pitch or in the murky skies – was reminiscent of the league clash between these two sides three months ago. But Fleet stepped things up and despite falling a goal behind, a pair of substitutes made the difference. First, Malvin Kamara grabbed the equaliser and then Jacob Erskine finished off a good move to stick the winner past former Fleet goalkeeper Craig Holloway.
It was another good workout for Daish’s side as the Fleet boss fine-tunes his squad with a final shortlist of trialists and measures the fitness of the rest of his squad. In terms of performance, it was a second-half display especially that bodes well for the coming season.
Don’t forget the next clash this pre-season – at home against Dagenham & Redbridge this coming Tuesday night.
TEAM: Welch, Howe, Brown, Stavrinou, Dixon-Baker, Simpemba, Lambu, Phipp, West, Willock, Marum. Subs from: Kamara, Erskine, Stone, Adam Williams, Azeez, Duncan, Fakinos, Elliott.
