Fareham boss calls for fast start

Fareham Town will need to be at their best if they are to avoid a fifth successive Wessex League premier division defeat when Team Solent arrive at Cams Alders tonight (7.45pm).
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Oct 2016, 07:00 BST
Updated 25th Oct 2016, 17:01 BST
Fareham boss Steve Stone. Picture: Neil MarshallFareham boss Steve Stone. Picture: Neil Marshall
Fareham boss Steve Stone. Picture: Neil Marshall

Reds manager Steve Stone will impress on his players the need to start strongly against the dangerous visitors.

Team Solent sit just a point above 14th-placed Fareham in the table but have three games in hand on their hosts.

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‘In our last four games we have not started playing until we found ourselves three goals down,’ said Stone.

‘We can make life a lot easier for ourselves if we stop doing that.

‘Players are starting to come back from injury and I have managed to bring a couple of new faces in.

‘Our squad is definitely strong enough to stay up.

‘But it is a question of gaining greater consistency.’

Fareham will hand a debut to loanee Aaron Grimshaw.

The 18-year-old centre-back has arrived at Cams Alders from the Hawks.

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Raemur Henry will also make his home bow after starting the 4-2 defeat at AFC Portchester at the Blanchard Wells Stadium on Saturday.

‘Hawks boss Lee Bradbury speaks highly of his young defender and his pace,’ said Stone.

‘Raemur has come to the area after playing in lower league academy teams in France for the last 10 years.

‘He hasn’t played since last May so needs time to get fully match-fit.

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‘He looks decent, though, and should prove a big asset for us.’

Stone is also boosted by the return of midfielder Liam Kimber, who has missed the last three weeks through injury.

Two successive wins have propelled AFC Portchester up to ninth in the table after a difficult start to the season.

Graham Rix is hoping to make it a hat-trick as the Royals travel to Andover Town.

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‘Andover is a tough place to go but the players are doing okay at the moment,’ said the boss.

‘Beating Fareham 4-2 was a job well done – particularly in the first half when we opened up a three-goal lead.

‘Joe Noakes returned to action and played a big part in the win.’

The Royals have also been boosted by the return of striker Alex Baldacchino, who scored at the weekend after a long lay-off.

Rix expects to have central defender Josh Warren back from suspension.

In division one, Baffins Milton Rovers entertain Totton & Eling at the Kendalls Stadium.

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