Match Report by Steve Cantle
Fighting Fleet Town slipped back on Saturday, losing for the third time this season to a classy Eastleigh side. On the day Fleet couldn't quite match the quality of play of one of highest paid, non-league sides in the county, clearly looking to play higher league football next season.
But despite the scoreline, Fleet boss Mick Catlin will have been cheered by another spirited Fleet performance ahead of key league matches over the next three weekends.
Fleet went behind after only 10 minutes, as they struggled to deal with the pace of the home side's early onslaught. The opener was set up by Eastleigh wingman, Nicky Banger, who put through mid-fielder, David Hughes, whose pass across the goal-line was tapped home by Tyrone Bowers. Fleet keeper, Steve May was then kept busy as Eastleigh continued to dominate the play.
May's heroics managed to keep his side in the game, as he pulled off several acrobatic saves from the lively Eastleigh front-men. At the other end, striker Richard Mealey went close for Fleet, but couldn't beat Eastleigh keeper, Colin Matthews with a well-directed header, following a free-kick. After the break Fleet continued to compete well, but went further behind in the 67th minute to a goal from sub, Neil Adams, the latest Eastleigh signing from the Havant & Waterlooville club.
Ten minutes later it was 3-0 after leading scorer, Paul Sales headed in from a corner. Things then picked up for the Fleet side with the introduction of new mid-fielder, Danny Boyle, signed in midweek from Wessex League side, Moneyfields. Boyle's lively pace troubled the Eastleigh defence, and from one good passing move the newcomer's powerful shot was only inches over the bar, with Matthews beaten.
There were further chances late on for Fleet as both Craig Anstey and sub, Steve Whitcher went close. With only seconds of the match remaining, Fleet wingman, Shaun Hale was shown red for his second bookable offence and will now miss out on some of Fleet's more crucial matches in the weeks ahead.
Fleet Town: May, Buckland, Millerick, Hare, Jeffery, Saunders, Black (sub, Boyle, 67 mins), Anstey, Mealey (Scammell, 88), Leworthy (Whitcher, 45), Hale. Sub (not used): Blakely.