Moneyfields boss Dave Carter excited about his summer signings

He picked new recruits George Barker, Marley Ridge, Alex Lafleur and Kieron Roberts out for praise for the way they've performed since arriving at Dover Road.

It was Lafleur who laid on the cross for Roberts to head home as Moneyfields triumphed 1-0 at home against two divisions lower Folland Sports in front of supporters at Dover Road for the first time in nearly six months on Saturday.

Carter identified attack as an area that needed strengthening this summer and he believes his squad has been given a welcome boost by the new arrivals.

Along with the attack-minded quartet coming in, Portsmouth-born midfielder Tom Dinsmore was signed following his AFC Bournemouth release while Ed Saunders has also joined.

Defender Curtis Da Costa, who missed virtually all of last season with a shoulder injury, has returned in pre-season.

Carter feels things are shaping up well for the new Southern League Division 1 South season after a disappointing 2019/20 that saw Moneys languishing third bottom when the campaign was curtailed due to the pandemic.

‘Alex and Kieron look very good signings,' he said.

‘It was a great ball in from Alex and a good header from Kieron to finish it off.

‘We’re looking good.

‘George Barker we rested on Saturday because he had a little bit of a tight calf so we didn’t want to push him too much.

'We gave him and Sam Pearce the day off as it was his stag do.

‘The four I’ve brought in - Alex, George, Kieron and Marley - they’ve all looked very good in pre-season.

'They’re very good players, so it’s been very pleasing - we needed the boost.

‘Curtis Da Costa as well, who we didn’t have last season, he’s been like a new signing.

‘I’m pleased but we just need to get going really.'

Moneyfields' final scheduled friendly sees them travel to Westfield, though they are looking for a game at Dover Road the following Friday.

Carter's side kick off the new campaign with a Portsmouth Senior Cup tie against four divisions lower Denmead at Front Lawn on Tuesday, September 8.

That is a delayed quarter final tie held over from last season. The winners face Fareham Town in the last four for the right to play Baffins or Horndean in the final.

Moneys are in FA Cup preliminary round action on September 12 - at home to Camberley Town or Wessex League newcomers Blackfield & Langley - prior to the scheduled start of their Southern League South Division campaign a week later.

And after a longer pre-season than usual, Carter cannot wait for the new season to get under way.

‘We need some competitive matches and to get into the season,' he declared.

‘It will be nice to finally get some competitive football.

‘We started pre-season quite early just because the boys wanted to get back after lockdown and everything.

'It is dragging on a little bit.

‘We’re a month later than we would have been as well.’