Southern League pair next up for Fareham after opening friendly win at Bush Hill

Curt Robbins was among the scorers as Fareham won 3-0 at Hampshire Premier League outfit Bush Hill. Picture: Neil Marshall

Ben Wilding, Brad Appleby, Dave Paskins and goalkeeper Dan Kempson all made their maiden appearances for the Creeksiders in a 3-0 friendly win at Hampshire Premier League Senior Division heavyweights Bush Hill.

But the club's other two close season additions, Casey Bartlett-Scott and Callum Benfield, were both absent.

Stiles saw it as a useful exercise for the whole squad, with goals from Curt Robbins (penalty), Archie Wilcox and Gibraltan under-21 international Jack Breed completing victory.

Having taken on opposition two divisions below them to kick-off pre-season, Fareham now host higher tier Winchester City on Tuesday before facing two divisions higher Gosport Borough on Saturday.

Although unaware how strong those two Southern League sides will be, Stiles is still relishing the chance for his side to show where they are with the Wessex League Premier Division campaign edging closer.

‘Most players came through fine in what were hot and horrible conditions,' he said of the Bush win.

'We got out of it what we wanted to get out of it.

‘Certain players look like they’ve got a bit more to do and some players looked quite comfortable.

'We had four of the six new ones involved. They all featured and did okay.’

Of the next two friendlies, he added: ‘These are the sort of games you need to be playing.

‘I’m sure that Winchester and Gosport will be wanting to test new players out and have a look at some of their fringe players - I don’t know what teams they’ll be putting out.

‘We’ve just got to play against what they put out.

‘Hopefully they put strong sides out so we can see where we are.'