With no game last week, Fleet returned to action on Sunday against Hartley De Sales hoping to avenge last seasons 2 defeats in the double fixture, which had effectively ended any promotion hopes for The Fleet.
We started well, on an already soggy pitch, our passing and moving found Hartley wanting early on, Rich missed a great chance to score and Mark just put one over the bar, breaking out from defence. But we were soon undone by Hartleys only player Doug Bannister who lurked on the edge of the box to fire home an unstoppable effort on 13. It was then soon after that Sam sacrificed all his personal performance and man marked Doug brilliantly out of the rest of the game, Doug barely got a touch for the rest of the match. In the slight ascendency, by way of the scoreline anyway, Hartley forced us back for the next few minutes in arguably their only spell of the match. They were sharper to the ball and their spare man/sweeper seemed very intent on just playing for touch at the back, but gradually the tide swung as it seemed Hartley could not maintain that early fast tempo on a pitch getting worse as the rain started getting heavier.
We were beginning to find our forwards regularly and with Joe and Nath both getting the better of their full backs we were on top. We just needed a break through. Mark pushed on, linked well with Nath in midfield and delivered a fantastic ball into the box and straight onto Joe's head for 1-1 on 32mins, it was what we deserved - a fine goal. We survived a minor scare just before half time and we were level at the break.
Half time chat centred around playing balls into feet and an attempt to pull the sweeper out of position or at least occupy him a bit more, also reminders that we might just need to grind this one out and stick together.
We started the 2nd half on the front foot and with Sam occupying their main man to great effect, Hartley offered nothing in return, we were able to control midfield, with our defence on top and with Plumb and Sav seeing more of the ball, it was only a matter of time before we scored a second, Joe, Sav and Plumb with decent chances to score. On 59 mins Nath produced a wonder diagonal pass/cross straight onto Plumbs head for 2-1, another lovely headed goal. We pushed some more and just couldnt get the 3rd. Changes were made as Eddie replaced Mo, Joe came off for Hambo who unfortunately had to be replaced moments later by Mick after sustaining a knee injury - lets hope its not as bad as first feared.
Our momentum was slightly disrupted, but we still looked more likely to score, unfortunately a lapse in defence saw the lone forward stroll inbetween the centre backs, finishing nicely for 2-2. We certainly felt aggreived as Hartley celebrated like they had won the world cup ! We kicked off going on to dominate the rest of the game, Eddies long throws causing problems in and around Hartleys box, Nath was destroying his opponent and forcing throws and corners down the right. Finally, we got a decent flick on by Rich from another Eddie throw and Plumb guided the ball past the GK with his head to regain the lead on 86mins - 3-2.
We just needed to hang on and kill the game at every opportunity, we ground out the result brilliantly and the game was over - although there was a bit of stupidity at the end of the game we will not let that take away from the fact that we all performed admirably in heavy conditions and against some strange refereeing decisions, which lacked consistency all game. A great 3 points and I think we all owe Sam one for his ability to nullify a major threat and carry out a man marking job, for that, there can only be one man of the match.
Fancy dress party next week means we have Sunday off, but we should be in action on the 28th Nov - details to be confirmed as soon as I get them.
Well done all, a great team performance.
