Skipper Danny Kedwell scored twice as Ebbsfleet started the Vanarama National South season with a 4-0 win against newly-promoted Poole Town at Stonebridge Road.

Dean Rance fired them in front on seven minutes before Kedwell opened his account. New signing Jack Powell later added the fourth with a superb 20-yard free-kick.

Fleet boss Daryl McMahon included three other debutants in his side - defenders Dave Winfield and Jack Connors alongside forward Darren McQueen.

Fleet built on their half-time advantage before moving up a gear in the second half.

Kedwell doubled the lead within four minutes of the restart, rifling home in the far corner to convert Powell's through ball.

He made it 3-0 after 67 minutes, heading in Anthony Cook's deep cross, following a burst from midfield by the Fleet sub, who had replaced McQueen seven minutes earlier.

Cook then won the free-kick which led to Fleet's fourth goal 13 minutes from time, after being fouled on the edge of the box.

Kedwell and Powell sized up the situation, before the latter curled home an excellent dead-ball strike.

Kedwell was inches away from a hat-trick, seeing his effort deflected for a corner.

Earlier, Rance got the season off to a flyer with a rasping effort from the edge of the box.

Fleet's first shot was charged down but Rance followed up with a powerful right-footed drive into the far corner.

Poole, last season's Southern League champions, tested the Fleet defence several times either side of Rance's opener.

Nathan Ashmore saved from Luke Roberts early on, before the visitors lost striker Marvin Brooks to injury after seeing his shot deflected for a corner.

Jordan Parkes went close at the other end, seeing his low effort saved by Poole.

Kedwell picked up the first yellow card of the game and Reiss Greenidge followed him into referee Ian Fissenden's notebook after kicking the ball away at free-kick.

Parkes was then lucky to escape punishment after a tackle from behind.

Ashmore and Sean Shields almost got in a tangle following a back pass, before the Fleet keeper saved low from sub Lee Wort in the last action of the first half.

Wort had earlier missed another good chance - shooting straight at Ashmore with no power.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, Shields, Clark, Winfield, Greenidge (Fish 46mins), Connors, Rance, Parkes (Kissock 67mins), Powell, McQueen (Cook 60mins), Kedwell. Subs not used: Miles, Deering, Kissock.

Poole: Huitchings, Lindsay, Case, Spetch, Whisken, Pettefer, Burbridge, Devlin, Roberts (Zanchetta 72 mins), Brooks (sub Wort 22'), Baggie (Gillespie 72mins). Subs not used: Rees, Davis.

Attendance: 1,031.