The Fleet progressed through to the quarter finals of the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday evening with a 6-1 victory over Chatham Town at Stonebridge Road.
There were no fewer than five first team debutants for this tie as Connor Morris and Reece Lyons were in the starting line up. Che Masroh-McDowell also started and all three substitutes were given a run out for the first time. Despite this the Fleet were too strong for their Ryman League North opponents.
Chatahm came the closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half as Gary Tilley saw his well struck shot tipped over by Joe Welch.
But once Liam Enver-Marum had expertly converted Nathaniel Pinney?s cross in the 16th minute, the Fleet were up and running.
Enver-Marum, heading back to full fitness after a long injury spell, was next to test Chats keeper Adam Molloy, who only succeeded in pushing it in the direction of Tom Phipp who gratefully scored his first of the night.
His second was to come just four minutes later when Enver-Marum once again threatened the visitor?s goal. His shot came back of the crossbar and when Masroh-Mc Dowell?s follow up was blocked by Molloy, Phipp gratefully scored the Fleet?s third.
The advantage was extended just after half an hour when Morris? cross from the right was headed home by Jamie Darvill.
The Fleet were guilty of gifting their opponents a goal early in the second period when a backpass from Ian Simpemba left Joe Welch under pressure and it was Lloyd Blackman who won the challenge with Fleet keeper as he eventually slipped the ball into the unguarded net.
But the Fleet?s fifth goal came from a well worked move between Pinney and Michael West as the Fleet?s on loan striker first slipped the ball wide for West to chase and then converted the resulting cross off the right post.
Both Liam Devine and Ike Robertson were then introduced to the fans and looked eager to impress. Devine in particular showed pace and trickery on the left flank and Robertson produced the pass that set up Darvill?s second goal and the Fleet?s sixth, as the Fleet striker lifted the ball over the head of Molloy with a sweet finish.
The Fleet will now be at home to Hythe Town in the quarter finals.
The quarter final draw at 22 November 2011 is:
Margate v Charlton Athletic
Ebbsfleet United v Hythe Town
Dover Athletic v Welling United
Tonbridge Angels or Sittingbourne v Folkestone Invicta or Dartford
Fleet: Welch, Morris, Herd (Adewunmi 85), Phipp, Simpemba, Lyons, West (Robertson 65), Masroh-McDowell, Darvill, Pinney (Devine 60), Enver-Marum.
Subs not used: Malley, Edwards
Fleet goals; Enver Marum 16, Phipp 19,23, Darvill 32,81, Pinney 58
Attendance 241
