New signings impress as Moneyfields hit seven in pre-season friendly opener

The former Wimborne Town forward went nap as Moneys got their pre-season preparations going with a thumping 7-1 friendly win over Wessex Leaguers Lymington Town.

Roberts has dropped down a division to link up with Moneyfields and hit the ground running, with Jack Barker and Charlie Osbourn also on target.

But the striker was not the only summer signing who caught manager Dave Carter's eye against Lymington.

Ex-Hawks midfielder Marley Ridge, who returned to the club from Gosport Borough earlier this summer, impressed as well.

'It was a great start for Kieron,' said a delighted Carter.

‘He was superb and could have had more.

‘But we’ll accept five in his first game!

‘We started very strong with a strong side and the boys conducted themselves very well.

‘We looked good, strong and played some good football at the right times.

'We’ve recruited from the division above and recruited in the areas that I felt we were short last season.

'Marley Ridge was superb in his first game, George Barker did well and Kieron getting five was good.

‘We had a rejuvenated Joe Briggs as well so it was very good.'

Defender Curtis Da Costa was also involved for Moneys after missing virtually the whole of last season - he only made one first team appearance - with a shoulder injury.

The only downside was Tyler Giddings going off with a knee complaint which Carter said would be assessed when the swelling goes down.

Next up for Moneyfields is a friendly meeting with Hampshire Premier League outfit Paulsgrove on Tuesday.

Wayne Grant's men were beaten 3-0 their first run-out at AFC Portchester on Saturday.

But the Grove boss was just pleased to get some minutes into his players after four and a half months of inactivity

‘It was nice to be back out there,' said Grant.

‘Both teams got what we wanted out of it really.

‘Both teams fielded mixed sides.

‘Portchester are going to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season in their league, and it’s going to be another tough test against Moneyfields.’

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Moneyfields reserves lifted the curtain on a busy pre-season programme with a 9-1 victory over Portchester Rovers at Dover Road.

Both sets of players had to arrived already changed, with no-one allowed to use any of the facilities before, during or after the game.

All players, coaches and officials had to sign the club’s ‘track and trace’ form as well prior to entering the ground

Traditional pre- and post-match handshakes were not allowed, with a drinks break in each half as well.

‘The guidelines take a bit of getting used to, but after a while it was just like a normal pre-season friendly,’ said Moneys boss Paul O’Rielly.

‘The Hampshire Premier League have told us that clubs can open their changing rooms providing social distancing of 1m is maintained, but we haven’t opened our facilities at the moment.

‘All the teams have a meeting with the club’s covid officer Tony Clark this week, so we might know more after that.’

Lamin Jatta - who was on the fringe of the Moneyfields first team squad last season - struck a hat-trick against Mid-Solent League opposition.

Further goals came from Jacob Payne (2), Dan Penfold, George Gregory, Ollie Long and Chad Musselwhite.

Musselwhite, a midfielder, has previously been at US Portsmouth and Baffins and last season didn’t play football due to work commitments.

Long is another new player with a good pedigree - he has spent time at the Southampton and Newcastle academies and last season was at Worthing.

Moneyfields’ Hampshire Premier League season starts in a month’s time, with their first game of the Division 1 campaign on September 5.

Before then, O’Rielly’s squad have another eight friendlies lined-up.