Fleet sign Gillingham youth goalkeeper…

Ebbsfleet United have signed young Gillingham goalkeeper Daren Hawkes ahead of Saturday’s home Blue Square South game against Basingstoke Town.

With first-choice keeper Preston Edwards suspended for the match after being sent off against Farnborough, manager Liam Daish has moved to bring in Hawkes, the Gillingham youth team keeper, who is signed on work-experience terms.

The second-year Gills scholar earned a call-up to the first team as cover for injured ex-Fleet number one Lance Cronin earlier this season and also has experience in the Gills reserves. The Gillingham website describes him as “a good shot stopper and a commanding presence between the posts”.