Whitchurch 0-7 Fleet Town

Match Report by Steve Cantle

Fleet's strikers stretched their legs on Saturday, firing home seven goals against a struggling Whitchurch side. The strikes included a hat-trick for 19 year-old newcomer, Barry Parker, who has now signed with the Fleet club after impressing in both of his outings so far.

There were also two goals for striker, Mark Frampton, who was making his first appearance of the season, and two for 18 year-old Eddie Smith, who replaced Frampton in the second-half.

The goal feast followed another strong performance by the Fleet side, whose play proved too quick for the lowly Wessex League opposition. Manager, Mick Catlin was again pleased with his squad¹s performance.

"Once again our fitness levels were good, and I was pleased we kept a clean sheet. It was great to see the goals go in, but we could have had many more," Catlin said after the match.

Catlin now has to whittle his large squad down ahead of what will be a tough contest against conference club, Woking at Calthorpe Park on Thursday.

With regular keepers, Carl Clayton and Steve May both away on Saturday, Catlin called in 18 year-old Luke Kerling from his former club, Havant.

Kerling had little to do for most of Saturday¹s game as Fleet took control from the off. The first goal game after only 9 minutes when Parker headed in from a Jamie Proctor corner. Three minutes later Parker made it 2-0 with a perfectly judged strike after running on to a ball from Frampton.

Frampton himself then helped himself with two quality strikes in the 22nd and 27th minutes, the second after a great run down the left by Proctor.

At the other end, Fleet¹s defence was looking comfortable, despite the loss of defender, John Murphy after 15 minutes, with a muscle strain picked up in the Croydon game last Tuesday.

After the interval the home side came out strongly, and with Catlin changing most of his line-up, the Fleet side went on the defensive.

Gradually Catlin¹s men found their feet again, and on 67 minutes scored their fifth, this time from the penalty spot, after Parker was judged to have been held as he tried to make contact with a corner. The youngster made no mistake with his spot-kick.

Three minutes later it was 6-0. This time it was the turn of Fleet's ex-youth team striker, Eddie Smith, whose pace was proving too much for a tired Whitchurch defence. Smith¹s goal, his first for the senior side came after he had earlier struck the upright with a fine, individual effort.

Smith then netted his second from the penalty spot, after he was judged to have been brought down by a Whitchurch defender.

FLEET: Kerling, Buckland, (sub Reagan, 61mins), Millerick, (Dadson, 51), Murphy, (Powers, 15, Blakeley, 51), I.Saunders, Hare, Black, (Keogh, 65), Anstey, (Worthington, 61), Parker, Frampton, (Smith, 54), Proctor.