Fleet’s hard-working week in sweltering temperatures paid off as they beat SC Farense in their own country, Jordan Parkes netting a late winner in his first game in a Fleet shirt.

Daryl McMahon’s men, sporting their new yellow away kit, were not at all fazed against a good Portuguese tier-two outfit in a game that consisted of three half-hour periods.

The bulk of the squad got a runout, though Aiden Palmer sat it out to protect a knee complaint, and Parkes – who began and ended the game despite sitting out part of the second period – grabbed the all-important goal.

There were a couple of bookings in a full-blooded affair and Fleet always looked strong in what was an excellent first performance since the end of last season. Fleet also hit the crossbar and forced the opposing goalkeeper into several good stops, though there was little to trouble Hall, Miles or Edwards during their stints at the other end.

It’s back down to earth (well, back down to England) for the squad as they travel to VCD Athletic for their first pre-season on UK soil this coming Tuesday.

TEAM: Hall (Miles / Edwards), Fish, Howe, Bonner (Clark), Clark (Acheampong), Osborn (Shields / Willmott), Johnson, Parkes (Rance / Parkes), T Lewis (S Lewis), Godden (Kissock), Kedwell (Cunnington)