Cup progress for Fleet in 8 goal thriller

Fleet Town 5 - 3 Farnham Town

By Steve Cantle
At Calthorpe Park

Fleet Town bounced back from another 6-0 drubbing at the weekend with this fine win against local side, Farnham, to reach the semi-finals of the Aldershot Senior Cup.

Two goals apiece from strikers, Johnny Dyer and Dan Read saw Fleet home, despite Jack Dillon twice giving hope for the visitors with top-class strikes.

In the end Fleet's superior fire-power won the day to earn Steve Mellor's side a semi-final tie against Camberley Town in two weeks time.

The win came just 3 days after Fleet conceded six against promotion-chasing Dulwich Hamlet, a result which leaves Mellor's men 13th in the Division One South table, with just 7 games remaining.

"Sure, it's always disappointing to lose heavily," the Fleet boss said after the Farnham game. "But we played well for most of the first-half and had a great chance to take the lead. But then a penalty decision went against us just before the break, and when their 3rd goal went in our heads went down."

"But as we did against Godalming last week, we've bounced back well, and tonight will do a lot to restore confidence," Mellor added.

Next up for Mellor's side on Saturday is a long trip to North Kent side, Faversham, a team Fleet have already beaten this season, followed on Tuesday evening with a difficult trip to 10th placed Sittingbourne.

"Both games are winnable," Mellor said. "And I'm confident of a strong showing."

Saturday's game at Dulwich was a tough baptism for new Fleet keeper, 16 year old, Sam Somerville, who came in after Lyall Beazley was injured in the Godalming game. The young replacement, who's been playing at Farnborough has already impressed Mellor, and is one of several youngsters, recently signed by the Fleet boss from Cherrywood Road.

"We are hopeful Lyall will be back before the end of the season," Mellor said. "But in the meantime Sam has grabbed his opportunity with both hands."

Saturday's game against Faversham will kick-off at Salter's Lane Ground at 3pm.

Fleet Town: Somerville, Page, Vockins, Riddell, Groombridge, Gadd, Read, McClurg, (sub, Hendry, 64 mins), Dyer, Wheeler, Harrison. Subs (not used): Anderson, Harkness, Campbell.

Farnham Town: Brock, Errington, Williams, Waring, Wheeler, Webb, Dillon, Tuck, Corbett, Bunyan, Whidditt. Subs: Horner, Grinham, Barnes.

Goals:

• Johnny Dyer (Fleet Town): 18 mins
• Dan Read (Fleet Town): 22 mins
• Johnny Dyer (Fleet Town): 24 mins
• Jack Dillon (Farnham): 36 mins
• Mark Corbett (Farnham): 39 mins (pen)
• Matt Wheeler OG (Fleet Town): 42 mins
• Dan Read (Fleet Town): 61 mins
• Jack Dillon (Farnham): 64 mins