Steve Brown won’t get carried away but at least be feeling some major satisfaction with his side’s blistering start to pre-season as Fleet claimed another Football League scalp, defeating a strong Portsmouth side 3-0. Fleet gave another showing to Lloyd Harrington, recently released by Dover, while Chris Sessegnon earned a start after some encouraging pre-season performances while Michael Corcoran skippered the side.
Charlie Sheringham notched another double for the Fleet, with Billy Bricknell adding one in between, to entertain the home faithful on another hot July afternoon. Bricknell started well for the Fleet and forced Jones into a save before supplying a delivery on 20 minutes that Sheringham prodded home to give the Fleet an early lead.
Bricknell repeated the trick early in the second half (below), nodding home Joe Howe’s cross. And Sheringham followed up swiftly when Jones could only divert Cook’s cross into his path for 3-0.
Both sides made numerous second half substitutions with Fleet bringing on Kiran Khinda-John, who has played for both Chelsea and Crystal Palace youth sides. Portsmouth had chances to find a way back in but Adam Webster fizzed one wide and Preston Edwards saved from Alex Wynter.
TEAM: Edwards; Sessegnon, Howe, Acheampong (Khinda-John 76), Harrington, Osborn (Palmer 71), Corcoran (McMahon 79), Fraser, Cook, Bricknell (Johnson 84), Sheringham (Godden 76)
Att: 879