Report by Steve Cantle

Fleet looked the more settled of the two sides in this training match, which ended all square at Calthorpe Park. Results matter little though at this stage of the pre-season, with players trying to establish themselves and managers, Andy Sinton and Jason Lewis keen to build their sides for the new season – now three weeks away.

The two goals came in the first-half. The opener for the visitors, came on 22 minutes when youngster, Luke Blanchard, spotted Fleet keeper, Andy Burr well off his line, and coolly struck the ball over the keeper’s head from 35 yards.

Up to this point Fleet had enjoyed most of the possession and duly equalised six minutes later. Fleet wingman, Tinoi Christie collected the ball down the left and his neat through ball found striker Ed Smith, with just enough time to chip keeper, Jack Delo for the equaliser.

Fleet found the net again seven minutes later, again following a move down the left, but this time Smith was adjudged off-side. For the visitors, striker, Luke Harvey just failed to capitalise on a mistake in the Fleet defence by Wayne Noad, shooting wide from close range.

After the break the visitors went close from a number of well-taken corners, the best chance falling to Harvey on 51 minutes, whose header just missed the target. Fleet though again dominated possession and almost went ahead on 55 minutes, when a dramatic overhead strike by Christie needed a fine, equally acrobatic save from Herne keeper, Delo.

For the rest of the half, Fleet held the mid-field well, with new signing, Philip John the pick of the home side. Youngster, Michael Blount also impressed in mid-field – one of Sinton’s many substitutions during the second period.

Blanchard was the pick of the visitors. Having just been released by Arsenal, the 16 year old has joined the Kent League side for what looks like a promising season ahead. Manager, Lewis though, has a big gap to fill up front, after releasing striker, Danny Kedwell to Welwyn at the end of last season. Kedwell’s contribution to last season’s runners-up position for Herne Bay in both the league and cup was 30 goals.