The Knights attacked strongly, straight from the start with Gardener tucking the ball to Holloway, who rounded a defender before Gardener’s shot went over the bar. Moments later Holland released a long ball forward for Holloway to chase; Holloway collected the ball and headed for goal, striking the ball into the net but this was deemed to be off-side. Then, from the Knights defence, Courtnage and Blackbourn edged the ball to Holland; he and Gardener passed well before sending Hooper goal-ward. Hooper saw Doel and slipped the ball towards him, but the Fleet keeper was quick off his line and stopped this attack. Fleet then made a quick move forward, catching the Knights defence a little flat-footed, as the striker was bearing down on goal, Tadd, the Knights Keeper rushed out and dived at the strikers’ feet, covering the ball and putting pay to a good Fleet attack. As Fleet attacked again, Garland closed them down quickly and then released Powell; Powell skipped past an advancing attacker before floating the ball to Holloway. Holloway put his head down and raced towards the Fleet goal, with good skills and determination he hammered the ball into the net – 1-0 Knights. Fleet then forced their way forward, and as an attacker headed goal-ward Tadd rushed out to stop him; the attacker looked up and went for goal, beating Tadd’s out-stretched arm, and the ball was heading into the goal. But Garland saw the danger and chased back, clearing away what was a certain goal. A few moments later Fleet were awarded a corner, the Knights defence failed to clear and a shot rained in from a tight angle which hit the underside of the cross bar and ended in the back of the net – 1-1. This inspired Fleet and soon they were attacking again, and as a high ball over the Knights defence caught them out, a lone striker raced in. He controlled the ball well and Tadd dived, both players collided and Tadd was hurt; the ball wriggled it way out and rolled into the net, 2-1 Fleet. As the minutes ticked away towards half-time the Knights launched another attack; Komboni to Grundy then onto Gardener and Owen; the ball was feed to Holland who was brought down, on the edge of the Fleet area. Holloway placed the ball and went for goal, sending the ball into the back of the net, 2-2 just as the half-time whistle blew.
2nd half started with Fleet on the attack, from a quickly taken corner the ball travelled through the Knights area untouched, but a lone Fleet striker pounced, sending the ball into the net, 3-2 Fleet. From the re-start Holland and Holloway headed for goal, slicing their way into Fleet’s danger zone, but the final effort by Holloway was wide of the mark. As the Knights built again Komboni, Courtnage and Owen sent Gardener and Holland goal-ward; Holland spotted Holloway and released a good through ball; Holloway jumped at the opportunity and thundered the ball into the net, 3-3. Fleet then came again, getting ever nearer to the Knights penalty area; Tadd again rushed out but was well beaten by a timely effort, but Owen raced to the rescue, clearing the ball safety away. As the play became more open, spaces appeared in the Knights defence, and Fleet capitalised; and by passing quickly scored their 4th of the match, 4-3 Fleet. Fleet kept coming and Tadd was called upon again to dive at the attackers’ feet, getting enough contact on the ball to deflect it wide. As the Knights mounted an offensive in the Fleet half of the pitch a high clearance caught the Knights out; the Fleet attacker, who was quick of foot, raced towards the Knights goal – Tadd had to come, but the attacker saw this and fired home another goal, 5-3 Fleet. The Knights then had to press forward and a throw-in taken by Komboni, flicked on by Hooper saw Doel in the clear; Doel fired home the Knights 4th of the match, but was it too late. Another throw-in by Komboni saw Doel’s effort saved by the Fleet keeper, but he was unable to hold onto the ball; the first to react was a fleet defender, clearing the danger away. The pressure was then applied by the Knights, which forced Fleet to concede a free-kick – taken by Holloway, the ball bounced in and around the Fleet area, Holland had an attempt, so did Hooper and Doel; it appeared that Doel’s effort crossed the line as all the attacking players cheered, and a few Fleet heads dropped – but it wasn’t given by the ref or the lines man, and this was the last action of the match. The manager then had to decide who should be awarded man of the match, and due to his commitment and bravery Tadd was picked for this honour.
