FFE Combat Advice
From Elite Wiki
General
Try getting behind the attacker and then use your thrusters to match speed if they have a slower ship. If not use missiles when you are close or coming head on.
Superior opponents
The main trick to FFE combat against a superior opponent is surviving the first pass which will be the most dangerous part. Then evade their fire until their laser overheats, once this has happened then make your attack. Keep on the offensive and don't allow them to recover shields. With more than one attacker it gets more interesting but take down the better armed ships first and use missile to distract anyone else causing you problems.
Equipment
The best advice really is to avoid a fight at the start. Once you have shields, Naval ECM and a decent laser then visit the more active systems.