Match Report to follow
Fleet's FA Cup ran came to an abrupt halt on Saturday as they were outplayed by an impressive Newmarket side, going down by a clear three goal margin.
The in-form Ridgeons Eastern Counties League team swept aside a Fleet side to record their 8th win out of 9 games this season, at an average of over 4 goals/game.
Fleet went into the match missing skipper Craig Anstey, injured in Tuesday's game at Erith. Otherwise it was the same side that had won two and drawn 1 of its last three matches.
But right from the off Fleet struggled to deal with the pacy Newmarket forwards, including wingman, Alex Rhodes, expected to agree terms with Norwich City over the next few days. The youngster's electric pace and shooting ability had netted him 13 goals already this season, and he was soon in action on Saturday, going close with a couple of fierce shots early on.
Eventually the first goal arrived in the 39th minute, following a corner, the ball coming back to midfielder, Stuart Ogilivie who fired in off the underside of the crossbar, giving Steve May no chance in the Fleet goal.
Things were not looking good for Fleet as the home side started the second-half much as they had the first, and May was soon in action again trying to keep his side in the tie. But with only 15 minutes of the second-half gone, Newmarket scored their second, again following a corner, when skipper, Darren Coe found the target with a powerful 20 yard drive.
With the second goal Fleet boss Mick Catlin rang the changes, bringing on defender Ian Saunders and wingman Jamie Proctor, moving Shaun Hale upfront to partner Mark Frampton. The changes brought some change of fortune for Fleet as they began to fight back into the game. Their first chance soon followed, falling to midfielder, Ed Hare. But his shot was wide of the target.
The home side sealed the tie with a third goal in the 83rd minute, Ogilivie netting his second after running on to a lose ball.
FLEET TOWN: May, Buckland, Millerick (Proctor, 60), Murphy, Blakely (Parker, 78), Jeffrey, Black, Hare, Tiller (Saunders, 60), Frampton, Hale. Sub not used: Ed Smith, Dadson. Attendance: ??.
NEWMARKET TOWN: Benstead, Graham, Winstone, Hatley, Coe, Tuck, Oglivie, Long, Reed (Hammond, 83), Shaw (Stokes, 65), Rhodes (O'Leary, 92). Subs not used: Follen, Brasher. Attendance: ??.