Steve Brown’s Fleet continued to gel in their second home pre-season game with a well-earned victory over a Gillingham development squad. With the manager opting to start with Brandon Hall in goal, there were also turns from trialist and former Histon, Crewe and AFC Wimbledon defender Mat Mitchel-King and ex-Fleet midfielder Giannoulis Fakinos.
The Gills had the better of a fairly quiet first half, with Ashley Miller and Harry Grant spurning chances, but Fleet came alive early in the second half with Michael Thalassitis unloading a shot from 25 yards that flew into the back of the net. With the home side’s front two linking well, it was no surprise when a short time later they contrived another goal together, Thalassitis’s delightful through ball well met by Billy Bricknell, who rounded the Gills goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Tom Phipp could have made it three for the Fleet but shot over the bar while substitute Anthony Cook and Thalassitis again went close late on.
Fleet are up next against Erith & Belvedere on Tuesday night, with reduced admission prices once again on offer – £5 adults and £3 concessions.
TEAM: Hall, Sankofa, Howe, Long, Mitchel-King, Huke, Phipp, Rance, Thalassitis, Bricknell, Fakinos. Subs: Edwards, Lorraine, McMahon, Green, Corcoran, Cook, Palmer.
Att: 371
