Basingstoke 1 Gravesend & N 4

GRAVESEND & Northfleet maintained their excellent start to the season last night with an impressive victory at Basingstoke Town in the Ryman League Premier Division. Andy Ford’s side needed to do it the hard way after conceding an early goal when Tim Sills slotted home for Basingstoke in the eighth minute.

However, the lead only lasted until the 21st minute when Andy Booth levelled the scores with a neat finish following Jimmy Jackson’s through ball.

Gravesend could have extended their advantage before the break but despite wasting many chances they always looked likely to win the game.

The Fleet’s second goal eventually came in the 62nd minute when Jackson rocketed a fierce drive into the net after a move involving Danny Lye, Darren Smith and Craig Wilkins.

Any doubts about the result ended with two goals for the visitors in a three-minute spell just past the half way point of the period when substitute Che Stadhart scored with a left foot shot and Jackson bagged his second of the game.