Moneyfields continue goal-laden start to pre-season friendly programme with victory over Paulsgrove

Steve Hutchings struck twice as Moneyfields defeated Paulsgrove 9-2 in a pre-season friendly at Dover Road. Picture: Duncan Shepherd

Moneyfields made it 16 goals in just two friendly fixtures thanks to a 9-2 thumping of Hampshire Premier League outfit Paulsgrove at Dover Road last night.

That came on the back of Saturday's 7-1 win against Wessex Leaguers Lymington as they kicked off pre-season.

Summer signing Kieron Roberts struck five times in his first Moneys appearance and also netted against Paulsgrove.

It gave Carter the first chance to pair him with prolific striker Steve Hutchings, who netted twice.

Another attacking option, Ilyas Warshow, struck a hat-trick while Ed Saunders - making his first appearance - Lamin Jatta and ex-Gosport Borough player Alex Lafleur completed the scoring.

Jatta had scored a hat-trick for the reserves against AFC Portchester last weekend.

Carter placed an emphasis on recruiting forward players who could chip in with goals to prevent an over reliance on Hutchings next season.

And he's been pleased with what he's seen so far.

'We changed it up quite a bit, I left eight players out that played on Saturday,' said Carter.

‘It was no disrespect to Paulsgrove, but I looked at it as a chance to give some other lads some time on the pitch.

‘It took us about 15 minutes or so to get going as it was a team thrown together.

‘We started with Steve Hutchings and Kieron Roberts up top to see what they would be like as a two.

'It took some time to get going, but once we found our feet we found goals.

‘In the attacking third we’re looking good, and we were pleased with the result.'

Moulay Ousman had fired Paulsgrove into a surprise lead, and new signing Zak Willett - who played in the Portsmouth Sunday League for North End Cosmos last season - later netted a second for the Hampshire Premier Leaguers.

Despite the thumping defeat, Paulsgrove boss Wayne Grant said it was a beneficial exercise behind closed doors at Dover Road.

'We went with a fringe squad,' said Grant.

‘We’ve got quite a lot of friendlies coming up where we can’t play everyone.

‘I knew they’d field a mixture as well.

'It was beneficial as we now know a bit more about who’s going to be ready for first team football and who isn’t.'

Moneyfields travel to Steve Claridge's Southern League Premier Division outfit Salisbury on Saturday.

Paulsgrove's pre-season preparations continue with a home meeting against HPL newcomers Harvest Home this Thursday and another home clash with Portsmouth Sunday League side Football For Cancer next Tuesday.