A SOLID Ebbsfleet United performance saw them overcome a strong Charlton XI on Sunday in the first pre-season friendly to take place at Stonebridge Road since the summer ground refurbishment.
Charlton manager Chris Powell will have been left with more questions than answers in what was a lacklustre display from his side, as first half goals from Billy Bricknell and Joe Howe secured victory for Steve Brown’s men.
Brown fielded a near enough full strength side, with on-loan forward Michael Thalassitis returning from injury and trialist Dominic Green continuing on the wing after an impressive midweek display at Dartford.
Powell fielded a side which contained first teamers Lawrie Wilson, Leon Cort and recent signing Richard Wood.
Also featuring for the Addicks were trialists Simon Church and Adam McGurk.
The opening stages were even, with Church having a weak shot easily saved by Fleet keeper Preston Edwards and Thalassitis testing the visitors with some well-timed runs.
Church’s volley from a Danny Green long throw then forced Edwards into a superb reaction stop.
A good passage of passing play from Charlton led to Green crossing for Jordan Cook, but the young attacker was unable to make a strong enough connection to test Edwards.
The visitors were made to regret those missed opportunities when Fleet went in front eight minutes before half-time.
Anthony Cook supplied Bricknell, who turned his marker smartly and gave keeper Nick Pope no chance with a low 20-yard finish.
It was 2-0 five minutes later when Howe sprinted from the halfway line, beat two players and powered a shot home from the edge of the area for a fine solo goal.
The second half got off to a quiet start, with the best chance falling to Ebbsfleet substitute Ben May.
However, he shot straight at Pope after good play from Bricknell.
Charlton then pulled a goal back when Cort’s shot from a corner deflected to Wood, who finished from close range.
The visitors then began to control possession and went close as substitute Joe Pigott fired just wide from long range.
However, any chance of a comeback was disrupted by a spate of substitutions and a superb rear-guard display from Ebbsfleet as they ensured Addicks legend Brown would walk away victorious over the club he made over 200 league appearances for.
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Ebbsfleet United: Edwards, Howe, Palmer, Corcoran, Lorraine, Huke, A Cook, McMahon (Long), Thalassitis (May), Bricknell (Johnson-Cole), Dominic Green (Phipp) Subs not used: Sankofa, Hall, Fakinos.
Charlton: Pope, Wilson (Osbourne), Cort (Feeley), Wood (Poyet), Danny Green (Fox), Church (Pigott), McGurk (Munns), Evina (Muldoon), J Cook (Paxman), Hollands, Cousins (Lennon). Att: 945.
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