Under-23s hit Ramsgate for six

Our Under-23s kicked-off their pre-season preparations in style on Saturday afternoon as they put six without reply past non-league Ramsgate at the WW Martin Community Stadium.

Forward Dilan Markanday starred in the rout as he grabbed a first-half hat-trick against the Isthmian League South East Division side while J'Neil Bennett also scored in the opening period to give us a four-goal advantage at the break. Khalon Haysman then came off the bench to add our fifth just after the hour mark before Bennett went on to fire home his second, wrapping up the scoring with 13 minutes remaining.

We dominated proceedings from the off on the Kent coast as Markanday had us in front with just two minutes on the clock. Picked out in a tight space with an incisive pass, the attacking midfielder then darted past two defenders before clinically picking out the corner of the goal from the edge of the area. Five minutes later, it was two as Kion Etete claimed the ball high up the pitch before playing in Bennett, who rifled the ball home.

Despite being two ahead, we didn't let our pressure subside as we continued to harry our opponents. On 15 minutes, it was that commitment to the press that brought about our third. Bennett won the ball back well in midfield before releasing Etete down the right. The striker then picked out the run of Markanday who coolly clipped the ball in from eight yards out.

By the break it was four and once more, it was our high pressing which brought about the opening. A misplaced pass from the under-pressure Ramsgate goalkeeper fell kindly at the feet of the lurking Markanday, who needed little invitation to complete his hat-trick as he applied a composed finish.

Our fifth of the afternoon arrived on 65 minutes and perhaps was our best strike of the day. It was a well worked move that went from defence to attack in an instant, with Markanday ultimately teeing up Haysman in the box. The midfielder's first-time effort was well blocked, but he made no mistake with the rebound, picking out the roof of the net. Bennett then added number six on 77 minutes as he took the ball off the toes of the defender before calmly finding the target.

It wasn't all plain sailing for us though as late on, substitute goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala was called into action. He was a match for a last-gasp effort from the hosts as he made a sprawling dive to his right to ensure we came away with a clean sheet.