Match Report by Steve Cantle
Striker Craig Leworthy made a dream debut for Fleet Town on Tuesday, scoring in the 9th minute to earn his new club a valuable point against a strong Newport IoW side. The 18 year-old Havant youngster, son of ex-Spurs striker, David Leworthy looked to have many more tricks up his sleeve, before he had to limp off after only 30 minutes with a pulled leg muscle.
Strike-partner, Shea Saunders, also 18, continued to harass the Newport defence, but in the end Mick Catlin's side had to settle for a share of the points, against a side currently 8th in the league. Catlin had managed to secure the services of Leworthy for two months on loan from the Dr Martens Premier club, Havant & Waterlooville, where he is a contracted player.
Catlin explained, "Craig was top scorer for the Havant Youth & Reserve sides last season, earning himself a much deserved contract." "He had the choice of several southern league sides but chose Fleet because of our commitment to youth," he added.
With both Leworthy and Saunders up front, the Fleet side looked much sharper at the start than it has all season, and for the first 15 minutes completely dominated the game, surprising the visitors with some fast attacking football. After Leworthy opened the scoring with a well-timed header from a Steve Black cross, Fleet pressed hard for a second.
Saunders went close soon after, but his shot was well stopped by former Fleet - but now Newport - keeper, Simon Arthur. Gradually the more experienced Newport side began to find their stride and soon Fleet keeper, Steve May was in action bringing off some fine saves to keep his side ahead.
Newport's equaliser eventually came in the 28th minute, when striker, Ashley Wright picked up a loose ball, and fired it home. The visitors then pressed hard for the rest of the half but were unable to convert a hatful of chances. One chance late on beat May, but was scooped off the line by defender Lee Blakeley.
The visitors came out strongly after the interval and but for May's heroics in goal, would have taken the lead. For their part, Fleet managed a few breakaway attacks, but didn't manage to put Arthur under too much pressure. They looked to have won a penalty late on when a Newport defender appeared to handle the ball in the area. But the referee ruled in favour of the defender.
FLEET TOWN: May, Buckland, Blakely, Hare, Jeffrey, Ian Saunders, Black, Anstey, Shea Saunders, (sub, Parker, 85 mins), Leworthy, (Smith, 31), Proctor, (Millerick, 52) . Sub not used: Ben Tiller.