Ebbsfleet United’s first team travelled to Sparrows Lane earlier today to face a Charlton Athletic U21 side in a behind-closed-doors match. Four different scorers for the visitors handed them a 4-2 win in what was a very useful 90 minutes before the return to National League action on Saturday week.

The Fleet started on the front foot and took the lead with just six minutes on the clock. Jordon Ibe was at the corner flag to whip a ball into the area which was initially punched away by the Charlton keeper. It floated out to Omari Sterling-James, whose volley from the edge of the box flew into the back of the net to put the Fleet in front.

A quick turnaround from the young Charlton side saw them in front 15 minutes later but another wonder strike from the Fleet, this time courtesy of Matty Fanimo, levelled the scores, his first-time finish from a set-piece going past the goalkeeper.

The Fleet were back in front 10 minutes before half-time when Luke O’Neill’s curling effort from the edge of the area left the keeper no chance of stopping that one and the visitors headed into the break 3-2 ahead.

After that eventful first 45, there was just the one goal in the second-half and it was Rakish Bingham on the scoresheet for the first time since his return from injury when he found the back of the net in the 64th minute.

With the Fleet having a blank weekend ahead, today’s contest was the perfect platform for a competitive 90 minutes for the squad ahead of the visit of Hartlepool United on the 20th. Tickets for that and our TV game v Oldham Athletic are on sale now here.