Ebbsfleet United 2-1 Charlton Athletic XI

Steve Brown's Ebbsfleet United picked up an impressive victory in their first home match of the summer as they beat a strong Charlton Athletic side 2-1.

The visitors fielded a host of players who have had League experience including two trialists Adam McGurk and Simon Church, who have played for Tranmere and Reading respectively. First-team players such as Lawrie Wilson, Danny Green and Danny Hollands all featured too.

Brown has nearly got his team together now, as the Fleet had just one trialist in the starting XI; former Dagenham winger Dominic Green. Michael Thalassitis was handed his first start after returning from injury, and the striker linked up well with Billy Bricknell. William Johnson-Cole and Cesc Fakinos were given places on the bench again.

With less than a minute on the clock it was the Addicks who had the first chance as Church cut in from the left, but he could only produce a toe-poke which Preston Edwards gathered with ease. Thalassitis won the ball in the middle of the park and played a nice one-two with Bricknell, but the on-loan striker failed to get on the end of the return ball as Nick Pope came rushing out of his goal and swept the ball from under the strikers feet.

Bricknell dragged an effort wide and Thalassitis then hit the side netting. In an open start, with both teams playing a slick passing game, there weren't too many chances created. Both defences were on form and holding out well.

The save of the match came soon after as Green launched a long throw into the box. Church was first to react and his touch should have been enough to see the Addicks take the lead, but an excellent reaction stop from Edwards denied the former Reading man once more. Jordan Cook then hit a volley straight at Edwards after a fine cross from Green down the right. It would seem the save of the match and the visitors failing to take their chances would have a big impact on the game as just before half-time, the Fleet were ahead.

Bricknell smashes home. Pic by Paul Jarvis.

Bricknell picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and flicked the ball over the defenders head before unleashing a bullet strike which flew past Pope and into the bottom right-hand corner. Five minutes later, the Fleet doubled their lead.

Howe's effort hits the net. Pic by Paul Jarvis

Howe bombed forward from his right-back position, taking on two Charlton players in the process, before hitting a low, powerful shot from outside the area, leaving Pope with no chance. A superb individual effort from the full back. Fleet fans will be hoping there's more of them to come this season!

2-0 HT. The Fleet's new look side were looking comfortable, with neat passing play and two brilliant goals.

The first chance of the second half fell to substitute Ben May, who won the ball outside the area before playing a neat one-two with Bricknell. The former Dover striker was through on goal with just Pope to beat, but his weak side-footed effort was easily saved by the Addicks keeper.

Charlton made several changes as they looked to find a way back into the game, and McGurk smashed an effort over from the edge of the area. Despite their hard work in midfield, the attack was letting the visitors down.

Wood pulls one back. Pic by Paul Jarvis.

Plenty of substitutions from both sides in the second half slowed the game down, but the visitors did manage to pull a goal back with 20 minutes remaining. A corner from Oliver Muldoon was met by Leon Cort and after a little bit of pin-ball in the area, the ball fell to Richard Wood, who hit home from 12 yards.

As the remainder of the game petered out, it was the visitors who had the last chance of the game as Joe Pigott wriggled free of a challenge outside the area and smashed an effort just wide of the goal.

The Fleet deserved their win and builds confidence as the new season draws ever closer. The Fleet face Gillingham's Development Squad at Stonebridge Road next Saturday, while the Addicks look to get their league campaign off to a winning start as they travel to Bournemouth on the same day.

Fleet: Edwards, Howe, Palmer, Corcoran, Lorraine, Huke, Cook, McMahon (Long), Thalassitis (May), Bricknell (Johnson-Cole), Green (Phipp).

Subs not used: Hall, Sankofa, Fakinos.

Addicks: Pope, Wilson (Osborne), Cort (Feeley), Wood (Lennon), Green (Muldoon), Church (Pigott), McGurk (Paxman), Evina Fox), Cook (Munns), Hollands, Cousins (Poyet).

Subs not used: Phillips.

Attendance: 945

Under the spotlight with... Anthony Cook!

After waving to the Dartford fans on Tuesday evening, new winger Anthony Cook took the time out to answer some questions I had for him. Still only 23 years of age, the youngster has plenty to give in the footballing pyramid and his ambitions to climb up could be met as the Fleet look to progress up the ladder too. After starting late in football, Cook has enjoyed the best spell of his short career at Chelmsford City, and will look to enjoy an even better spell at the Fleet. Here's what he had to say:

What was your first footballing memory?

I remember watching Trevor Sinclair score one hell of a bicycle kick... Now that I look back, it's probably why I'm always attempting them!

Who would you say has been the biggest influence in your life and career?

I would have to say my dad because he has always supported my career, and always gives his honest opinion, but I am surrounded by many positive people that in turn, makes me positive about life.

You're the manager of a 5-a-side team and have to pick one player from each of the top five (English) divisions. Who do you choose?

Gareth Bale – Tottenham

Adel Taraabt – QPR

Magnes Okuonghae – Colchester United

Reice Charles-Cook – Bury

Anthony Acheampong – Barnet

What do you like to do outside of football? Has it always been your dream to be a footballer?

With whatever spare time I get, I like to just spend time with friends and family and enjoy life. I have a big family so most of the little spare time I have is taken up by them. As a kid watching football, I think it's every little boys dream to play football and actually earn from doing something you love, but I didn't think it was a realistic goal until I was 16 because I never had the opportunity to take it seriously until late.

Favourite food, artist, holiday destination and sport other than football?

Food – BBQ Jerk Chicken, Rice and Peas, Macaroni Cheese and Coleslaw (if you know, you know).

Artist – Drake

Holiday – Florida

Sport – Boxing

You had a lengthy spell at Chelmsford, how do you look back on your time there?

I had a wonderful time at Chelmsford. The fans at the club were amazing, and the club I feel is a non-league sleeping giant with huge potential. However, I was very unfortunate in two serious injuries but the gaffer [Glenn Pennyfather] was an amazing guy and had faith in me knowing I would return. I wish nothing but success for the club and hope they do well next season; just not as well as the Fleet!

Who are your best mates in football?

Magnus Okuonghae – Colchester

Ricky Modester – Dover

Aiden Palmer – Ebbsfleet

Kenny Clark – Dartford (please don't kill me)

What's the best piece of advice you've received, and who was it from?

Make every decision for yourself. Never look back and have regrets because you made somebody else make a decision for you. That was from my grandma who sadly passed away in 2012 (RIP), but this piece of advice helps me on a day-to-day basis.

What is the best match you've played in?

Hands down it has to be the FA Cup replay last season in a 4-4 draw [v East Thurrock United] and we won on penalties, which set up a tie with Colchester United. I think it was a game where you would only have believed it if you were there, we could have played until the Thursday and still not found a winner. I'm sure if there are football gods, they wrote the script. I don't think anyone who played in the game could believe what was happening, there couldn't have been a more crazy game. They went 1-0 up but we pulled it back and made it 2-1 only for them to score in the last minute to make it 2-2. They went 3-2 up but once again, we pulled it out of the bag and made it 4-3. When it really mattered they produced a 'worldie' to make it 4-4 in the last minute of extra-time! We won 5-4 on penalties. There was only one word for the game – 'nuts'.

Who are the best players you've played with and against?

With – Aaron Ramsey – You could always see he would be a great talent.

Against – Jason Puncheon – Not surprised to see him fly up the leagues. Absolutely frightening ability.

Ebbsfleet United – what attracted you to the Club?

It has to be the interest Steve Brown showed. I had many other options but I spoke to Browny and Daryl McMahon at least three times a week and they were always monitoring my situation, and also come to see me play a friendly for Colchester. I've played with a lot of the players at the club and played against them too, so seeing the good players signed so far signals the intent of the club for me. The club is ambitious and successful which matches my outlook on football, and life. Exciting times are ahead for the club, and I hope that my stay is a successful one.

Steve Brown has been a fan of yours for a while. When your trial at Colchester didn't work out, was you always looking at signing for the Fleet?

The situation at Colchester I went with an open mind. I knew that the Gaffer knew me and has seen me play first hand a number of times including when we beat Colchester at Chelmsford. Unfortunately it was the right place at the right time and because of my current situation, nothing could be sorted. So I decided to stay part-time and after the interest showed from Browny, there was only one place I was going to sign.

Fleet fans who made the trip to Dartford for the friendly will love you for your reaction to the Darts fans after being subbed. What was the situation there? Do you thrive on the jeers from opposition fans?

Those who know me know that I play with my heart on my sleeve. I don't mind the jeering from the opposition fans at all, it makes me want to do something to silence them, and when that happens it's so sweet. This is one of the things I love about football.

What are your personal aims for the coming season?

Well I'm an attacking midfielder who loves to score and create goals, so I have set myself a goal target which I will keep to myself at this stage, but I also plan to create as many, if not more, than I score.

Do you have any regrets in your career?

I wouldn't say that I have any regrets in my career. I like to see everything as an experience and I try to learn from everything that may have gone wrong in the past, so I have no regrets; always a lesson to be learnt.

What are you most looking forward to this season?

It has to be getting the season under way. After a while, pre-season can begin to drag and you just want to play competitively, so August 17 against Havant is what I'm looking forward to and getting the game started.

'Football Icon'. For those who aren't aware, tell us about your time on the Sky1 reality show and how it helped you progress.

Football Icon is what made me start taking football seriously. It put me in my first football environment and made me realise that I could have a career in football. I was playing in goal for my school until year 11, and just messing about with my brothers team on a Sunday and not taking it too serious at all. I got into the game quite late really, but Football Icon helped me develop very quickly being coached and advised by people like Eddie Newton, Brendan Rodgers and Jamie Redknapp.

What's the most memorable goal you've scored?

It has to be either the winning penalty in that crazy FA Cup game previously mentioned, or the Trevor Sinclair style scissor kick that flew into the top corner for Chelmsford against Boreham Wood last season.

Finally, sum up your career so far in one word...

Eventful.

Dartford 1-1 Ebbsfleet United

A late goal from captain Elliot Bradbrook gave Dartford a share of the game in an entertaining match at Princes Park on Tuesday evening.

Billy Bricknell's deflected effort had earlier put the Fleet ahead but the Darts fought back to draw in this friendly North Kent Derby.

The Fleet named one trialist in the starting XI; Dominic Green, former Dagenham and Redbridge winger who spent a short spell on loan at Dartford last season. New signing Anthony Cook was named in the starting line up while Mat Mitchell-King, formerly of AFC Wimbledon, was the only new trialist on the bench. Johnson-Cole and Cesc Fakinos were handed places in the squad again.

Both sides were looking for the win after disappointing losses at the weekend and it was the hosts who had the first real chance as Jason Prior hit wide from inside the area.

Joe Howe curled one just wide after being fed in by Green, before Bricknell saw an effort go wide and Ben May headed over from Osei Sankofa's cross.

Green, who had a fine first half for the Fleet, delivered a perfect cross for May at the back post but the Darts defender did just enough to put him off as he headed straight at Alan Julian. That would be the closest the Fleet would come in the rest of the half as the Darts began to take control.

Howe thrashed one high and wide but only after 'veteran' winger Ryan Hayes had hit the bar and the Darts were denied a penalty for a handball. Hayes then saw an effort deflect onto the post. The Fleet were having to ride their luck a bit but held firm, and the last action of the half saw Bradbrook out muscle Tom Phipp in the middle of the park before firing a shot low down to Brandon Hall's right; the keeper got down well to save.

Both sides were playing neat football in the first half, with the ball rarely venturing above head height! Both created decent chances, but the hosts created the slightly better opportunities.

Five minutes after the restart, May played the ball left to Bricknell and his effort from outside the area deflected off the defender leaving Julian no chance as it clipped the post and bounced over the line.

The Fleet were buoyed by the goal and begun to take control of the match, without troubling the Darts goal too much. Cook smashed an effort over from inside the area.

The Fleet were playing some lovely stuff, which was a joy to watch after last season's shenanigans.

The visitors made several changes in the second half and the Darts slowly worked their way back into the game. Lee Noble's effort was comfortably saved by Hall and the Fleet's number two then produced a fine save to deny the Darts an equaliser. Unfortunately, he could do nothing to prevent the home side from getting a deserved equaliser.

Cook was subbed off the pitch and he sarcastically clapped the home fans after picking up a yellow card for an altercation with Lee Burns. The Darts won a free kick just inside the Fleet half and the beautifully floated free-kick deserved somebody there on the end of it, and it was none other than captain Bradbrook who rose highest to head into the bottom right. The goal was no more than the hosts deserved and the draw was the correct result.

Dartford send a side to East Thurrock United on Wednesday (24) and then travel to Tonbridge Angels on Saturday (27), while the Fleet host a Charlton XI on Sunday (28) with admission just £5 for adults. Concessions can gain entry for £3 while U16s pay £2. U12s go free when accompanied by an adult.

Dartford - Julian; Burns, Clark, Sterling (Rogers 73), Fry; Hayes, Cornhill, Bradbrook, Noble; Harris (Collier 71), Prior (Ibemere 46).

Subs not used: Eisa, Monger, Allen, Vint, Azeez, Wellham.

Goal - 86

Ebbsfleet - Hall; Sankofa (Palmer 46), Huke (Mitchell-King 46), Lorraine (Corcoran 77), Howe; Cook (Fakinos 84), Phipp (McMahon 61), Long, Green (Rance 46); May, Bricknell (Johnson-Cole 71).

Sub not used: Edwards.

Goal - 50

Attendance - 704

Maidstone United 3-0 Ebbsfleet United

Rory Hill put in a match winning performance as the Fleet suffered a disappointing pre-season result at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Fresh off a 5-1 victory away at Thamesmead Town, the Fleet continue their good start under new boss Steve Brown as they were comfortably beaten. Rory Hill won two penalties for the hosts before scoring a second half cracker in an easy victory for the Stones.

The Fleet started with ten of the fourteen players who had already signed and named one trialist in the starting XI; former midfielder Giannoulis Fakinos, who enjoyed promotion from the Conference South with Welling United. Joe Howe, Brandon Hall, Tom Phipp and Stacy Long were on the bench with two new trialists; former Woking and Macclesfield winger Dean McDonald and former Crystal Palace Academy player William Johnson-Cole.

The Fleet were the first to create a chance as Billy Bricknell hit straight at the keeper from just inside the area. The hosts went very close soon after as a long throw into the box bounced up kindly for Jerrome Sobers, who's header crashed against the ball and the Fleet got it to safety.

The visitors best chance of the match arrived five minutes later as a tidy through ball from Fakinos found Sankofa in acres of space in the area – unfortunately he showed why he's a defender as he blasted over the bar.

In a match that produced very few chances, the hosts were having the better of them and Frannie Collin, signed from Tonbridge, forced Preston Edwards into a good save with his long-range drive.

Hill had the better of Aiden Palmer all game and he made his mark on the game less than a minute later as he's cross struck the full-back's arm. Referee Rob Whitton showed no hesitation as he pointed to the spot. Collin stepped up and confidently struck his penalty to Edwards' right, and the outstretched arm of the keeper wasn't enough as the Stones took a one goal lead.

Just a few minutes later, Hill had Palmer troubled again as he made a dash into the box with the ball. Just as he was about to shoot, the left back took him out, leaving the ref no choice but to award another penalty. Once again, Collin stepped up and scored from the spot; this time he placed his effort in the other corner, sending Edwards the opposite way in the meantime.

McMahon got in behind the Stones defence for the first time in the match and produced a fine cut back for Ben May. He took a touch and his tame effort was blocked off the line by the Stones number nine; Alex Brown.

That was the end of proceedings for the first-half. The Stones were in total control as the Fleet struggled to get a foothold on the game. 2-0 Maidstone.

The Fleet made six half-time changes with Hall, Howe, Phipp, Long, Johnson-Cole and McDonald replacing Edwards, Fakinos, Lorraine, Corcoran, Bricknell and May.

The changes made no impact on the game whatsoever as the Stones continued to look comfortable. Anybody watching these sides for the first time would think the Fleet were in the lower division!

Johnson-Cole had an effort straight at the keeper before an excellent driving run from the halfway line ended in a free-kick for the Fleet. McMahon and Long were debating who would take it so settled it with a good old-fashioned game of rock, paper, scissors. Long won, and hit his free-kick straight at the keeper.

Howe nearly gifted the hosts a third as he smacked Orlando Smith's cross against his own bar, before the ball was cleared to safety. The hosts did get a third though, as man of the match Rory Hill pounced on a flick on by substitute Lea Dawson and crashed home a superb volley from the edge of the area. Hall in the Fleet goal had no chance whatsoever. The winger certainly deserved it and look overjoyed as he celebrated with his team mates.

Youngster Charley Robertson was in on the action soon after coming on as he drove into the box and forced a decent save from Hall. The last chance of the game then fell to the hosts, of course, as Hill sent in a ball over from the right, Paul Booth headed over after Dean Rance got a touch on the ball.

FT: 3-0. Maidstone looking very comfortable on the 3G with slick passing and great team cohesion. Jerrome Sobers and Rory Hill the stand outs. Sobers with some excellent defensive work, not allowing the Fleet a sniff and Hill with a man of the match performance on the right wing.

Goals: Collin 33 (pen), 36 (pen), Hill 71.

Fleet: Edwards (Hall), Sankofa, Palmer, Corcoran (Long), Huke, Lorraine (Phipp), Fakinos (Howe), Rance, May (McDonald), Bricknell (Johnson-Cole).

Stones: Worgan, Sullivan, Flisher (Johnson), Watt, Sobers (Humphrey), Sarvaiva (Dawson), Hill, Phillips, Brown (Lye), Collin (Booth), Smith (Robertson). Subs not used: Hart, Draycott, Parkinson.

Attendance: 746

Deal Town 0-6 Gillingham Development Squad

Kane Haysman was the star of the show at the Charles Sports Ground on Wednesday evening, as the midfielder scored four goals in a very comfortable pre-season win for the Gillingham academy.

It was a warm summers evening on the coast and the Gills youngsters put on a show they can be happy with, as they overcome a very uninspiring Deal side. It came as quite a surprise that Deal, in their first pre-season, offered nothing.

Less than a few minutes were on the clock when the Gills picked up their first goal after some good work from Stephen Butcher. His cross from the right found Haysman in plenty of space on the edge of the six yard box, who made no mistake with his header.

Chances were very few and far between for the hosts. Their best effort came soon after the Gills took the lead, but a long range shot was comfortably saved by Gowans in goal, low down to his right.

The Gills doubled their advantage almost straight away as Ashley Miller latched onto a long ball before rounding the keeper and slotting home into the empty net. Miller has been on the fringes of the Gills first-team for a while and will be looking to break into the squad as soon as possible. The striker had another opportunity soon after, but his effort was well saved by the Deal keeper.

With the manager very vocal on the sidelines, the team on the pitch did exactly what was asked of them. Some of the passing on display was sublime, and it was only a matter of time before another goal was scored. A blocked effort from just inside the area was soon followed up by Haysman as he hit home from twelve yards out. 3-0 to the Gills, and the youngsters were very much in their element and enjoying playing the game.

Jake Hessenthaler, son of former manager Andy, forced a decent save from the keeper shortly after and from the resulting corner he looked very poor as he came for the ball, and nearly gifted the Gills a fourth. He came to life a couple of minutes later as he sprung high to his left to brilliantly deny Miller a second.

There was nearly an embarrassing moment for the Deal number ten as his wayward header nearly caught the keeper off guard. Fortunately he was aware of the poor header and saved well down low to his left.

The crunching tackles were coming from the hosts the whole first half, and their physicality showed when Butcher had to go off to receive treatment for what looked to be a nasty elbow to the face.

Not one to shy away from his responsibilities, Butcher was back on in no time as he produced a fine through ball to set up Haysman to give him his hat trick.

HT: 0-4. Excellent performance from the youngsters in the first half, fully deserved a four goal advantage at the break.

The only change at half-time for the visitors was Butcher going off, and he was replaced by Charlie Webster. It wasn't long before he was in on the action as he saw an effort go over the bar from the edge of the area.

Tom Derry missed a good chance before almost setting up a goal as he sent a ball over for Miller, who saw his effort goal wide of the near post when it looked easier to score.

It was almost five, as an excellent cut back from Jack Parter left Derry in acres of space, only for the defender to get back with an excellent goal line block. It was five though, as the visitors were handed a penalty. Haysman confidently stepped up and slotted home for his fourth of the night; an excellent performance from the midfielder.

As the hosts begun to tire, the full-backs were getting forward even more and giving them more problems and Derry so very nearly scored after a great cross from Parter found him unmarked. The keeper produced a solid stop.

There was almost a moment of brilliance from Deal as the number six attempted an audacious lob from 30 yards, which just dropped wide of the post, while the keeper was in no man's land.

Derry did eventually get on the score sheet late in the game as Miller laid it on a plate for him. The young striker fully deserved a goal as he'd worked his socks off all game and was unlucky not to have had one sooner.

6-0 the final score, and a great run out for some future stars. Miller, Butcher and Haysman the stand outs.

Gills: Gowans, Parter (Muggleton), McKain, Davies, Carter (Nyafli), Butcher (Webster), Hare, Hessenthaler (Millbank), Haysman, Miller, Derry.  

Thamesmead Town 1-5 Ebbsfleet United

Thamesmead Town 1-5 Ebbsfleet United

The Fleet's new era was met with the hottest day of the year as they ran out 5-1 winners at Bayliss Avenue on Saturday afternoon.

All four of the Fleet's retained players from last season began the match and six of the new signings were handed a first start for the Club, with the returning Stacy Long making up the eleven. New signings were on the bench along with two trialists; goalkeeper Brendon Hall (formerly of Hayes and Yeading) and Alex Osborne.

Stacy Long drives home. Pic by Paul Jarvis.

In testing conditions, it was the hosts who had the first opportunity of the game as the number nine went through on goal only to shoot straight at Preston Edwards. The Mead were in front soon after though, as Jon Main headed home Michael Power's cross in the 13^th minute of the match. It was a sloppy goal for the Fleet to give away but they got themselves back on level terms just a couple of minutes later. The influential Long skipped past a challenge on the edge of the area and drove the ball home past Rob Budd in the Mead net.

Just before the half hour mark, Long was there again to give the Fleet a deserved lead. A free-kick from 25 yards was crashed home off the underside of the bar. It was as though he'd never been away!

Edwards saved well from Jon Main to keep the Fleet ahead, before a quickly taken free-kick allowed Tom Phipp to set up Ben May, who finished at the second attempt. The first half ended 3-1 to the Fleet, who were playing sublime football at times. Daryl McMahon and Long looked like they'd played together for years in midfield. Both were all over the park and always looking for the ball, something the Fleet have lacked in recent seasons.

The Fleet made some changes at half-time with Michael Corcoran replacing Dean Rance, Hall came on for Edwards in goal and Osboune replaced Phipp.

Thamesmead had the ball in the net not long after the break, but it was ruled out for a handball by Rob Carter. The Fleet then added a fourth as May's weak shot spun over the 'keeper, who left the field soon after.

Steve Brown - Pic by Paul Jarvis.

In true Sunday-League style, Rance returned to the action (in place of Long) just after the hour mark and drilled home his first goal in Fleet colours. The Fleet were well worth their 5-1 lead and the final half hour or so was played in a slow fashion, with neither side creating chances.

Brown would have been pleased with the performance in scorching heat. The new era is well and truly under way. The Fleet visit the Gallagher Stadium next week as they face Maidstone, which should prove a tougher test.

Fleet: Edwards (Hall), Howe, Lorraine, Huke (Sankofa), Palmer, Phipp (Osborne), Rance (Corcoran), McMahon, Long (Rance), Bricknell (Thalassitis), May.

Attendance: 185.