TORPOINT ATHLETIC 0-9 EBBSFLEET UNITED : FLEET CELEBRATE CORNISH PASTING…

The Fleet kick-started their West Country tour in emphatic fashion with a 9-0 demolition of South Western League Torpoint Athletic, having led 6-0 at the break. Included in tonight’s squad were Cambridge City striker Michael Gash, from whom Liam Daish was expecting much, as well as Sidcup-born former Bohemians and Millwall defender Dean Pooley (pictured). Eighteen-year-old Portsmouth FC scholar Nicholas Jordan was between the sticks following Lance Cronin’s injury on Saturday (Sam Mott had withdrawn through illness) while ex-Leyton Orient striker Efe Echanomi was given another chance to impress up front.

Both strikers did their chances no harm, with Echanomi grabbing a hat-trick and Gash celebrating a brace, while new signings Ricky Shakes and Craig Stone also hit the target. James Smith and substitute Pooley added polish to the scoreline.

TEAM: Nicholas Jordan (trialist), Ricketts, Opinel, Charles, Smith, Barrett, Stone, Shakes, Purcell, Efe Echanomi (trialist), Michael Gash (trialist). Subs: Long, Hawkins, Kimble, Dean Pooley (trialist), Karim Abedourbih (trialist).

Effe Echanomi 3, Ricky Shakes 1, James Smith 1, Craig Stone 1, Michael Gash 2, Dean Pooley 1