LIAM Enver-Marum, Louie Soares and Simon Dunn all found the net as Basingstoke Town cruised to a pre-season friendly victory away at Fleet Town last night.

Town manager Jason Bristow took the opportunity to rest several first-team players ahead of upcoming friendly games against Aldershot Town and Wycombe Wanderers, but the players who stepped up had more than enough to see off Southern League Division One outfit Fleet.

The visitors were full of intensity from the off, scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes through Enver-Marum and Soares.

Enver-Marum’s second of the game just before the half-hour mark left Fleet with no way back and while the hosts did manage to get on the scoresheet, Simba Mlambo converting a controversial penalty, Dunn replied almost immediately to put Town 4-1 up at half-time.

There was no further scoring in the second half, but Town, again playing a 4-3-3 formation, continued to press, having two goals disallowed and hitting the post.

Jay Gasson, Nathan Smart, Shaun McAuley and James Harper were all rested, while David Ray was an unused substitute as Town fans got a chance to have an extended look at some of the other players in the squad.

One of them, Harrison Gilkes, the son of assistant manager, Michael, created the opening goal after just seven minutes. He popped up on the left wing to swing in a cross that Fleet failed to deal with and Enver-Marum was on hand to nod home at the far post.

Town had started the game excellently, playing at a fantastic tempo, and a second goal followed two minutes later, the impressive Soares finding the top corner with a fantastic shot from 25 yards.

Rob Carr went close to pulling a goal back for the hosts after a mistake from Ryan Case, but Town were soon back on the front foot and Dunn saw his low drive from 25 yards smack the post.

Gilkes continued to cause problems, twice cutting in from the right, but on both occasions his finish was wayward.

Enver-Marum, who looked dangerous throughout, got his second goal just before the half-hour. The striker was somewhat fortunate to beat a covering defender, the ball ricocheting kindly for him, but there was no luck in the finish, blasted over the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Fleet were handed a lifeline when Jamie Brown was adjudged to have handled in the area on 40 minutes. The ball seemed to hit him square in the face, but the assistant flagged for a penalty, which was slotted away by Mlambo.

However, it took just three minutes for the visitors to respond, Dunn finding the bottom corner after good work by Adam Nditi, Soares and George Hallahan.

Enver-Marum almost completed his hat-trick in the opening minutes of the second half, but his lobbed finish was saved as he raced on to a ball over the top.

Hallahan then had the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Enver-Marum thought he had his treble a minute later, when he raced on to Taylor Watts’ pass before rounding the goalkeeper to score. However, the assistant’s flag was up for a very tight offside call.

Town made a raft of changes early in the second half and two of the substitutes almost made an immediate impact.

Lloyd Macklin failed to take advantage of a poor punch from the home goalkeeper, firing wide, while Tom Bird’s angled shot after a nice move never really troubled the goal.

Craig Stanley fired narrowly over the crossbar as the game began to meander towards a conclusion, but Hallahan twice went close to extending Town’s lead in the closing stages.

A good run from the excellent Will Salmon resulted in the young striker receiving the ball in the area and a good first touch allowed him to get a shot away, but the ball hit the base of the post.

The youngster then did well to beat his man, but saw his low effort clawed away by the home goalkeeper as Town were forced to settle for four goals.

Click here to watch a post-match interview with Basingstoke Town manager Jason Bristow

PLAYER RATINGS

Aaron Howe – 7 (out of 10)

Didn’t have much to do, but dealt comfortably with everything that came his way.

Will Salmon – 9 (Gazette Star Man)

Looked far more comfortable at right-back than he did in the centre of defence. Showed great energy over the entire 90 minutes and provided an outlet.

Adam Nditi – 6

Showed glimpses of the ability that earned him a place in the Chelsea youth set-up, but caught out defensively on a couple of occasions.

Robbie Rice – 7

A calming influence in the heart of the defence, a position which may now be his best.

Ryan Case – 7

Made a mistake in the first half but otherwise steady, making some good challenges.

Jamie Brown – 8

A really good performance from the combative midfielder. Protected the back four well and helped to build play by keeping possession.

Louie Soares – 9

Another really strong display from the midfielder, who cruised through the game. Rarely gave the ball away, involved in a lot of good moves and scored an excellent goal.

Simon Dunn – 8

Took his goal really nicely and was unlucky to see another shot hit the post. Full of energy throughout.

Liam Enver-Marum – 9

Took his goals really well and provided a threat throughout. Seems to enjoy playing as a lone front-man.

George Hallahan – 7

Tried to do too much at times, but involved in the move that led to the fourth goal and unlucky not to score late on.

Harrison Gilkes – 7

A lively display. Set up the opening goal with a teasing cross and caused problems cutting in from the right.

SUBSTITUTES

Taylor Watts (for Dunn 45min) – 7

A solid performance from the youngster, who was asked to play in an unfamiliar midfield role.

Chris Flood (for Gilkes 52min) – 7

Another player asked to do a job for the team in midfield.

Tom Bird (for Nditi 54min) – 7

Caused problems getting forward down the left when he was brought on.

Manny Williams (for Soares 54min) – 7

A neat and tidy display.

Lloyd Macklin (for Enver-Marum 54min) – 6

Had a bit of an off-day. Struggled to find space as Fleet defended deep. His touch let him down on a couple of occasions and he fired a good chance wide.

Subs (not used): Gray, Ray

Related Links