Fleet continued their pre-season campaign with a good win at home to Southern League Division 1 West side Burnham on Tuesday evening.
Fleet manager, Mick Catlin made several changes to the side that lost to Staines Town on Saturday, with keeper Peter Hooks starting ahead of Calvin Spartshatt, and Richard Mealey joined Eddie Smith and Lee Paul in attack. Also in the line up for the first time this season was Ben Buckland, and Tom Simpson.
The first half saw an improved performance from Saturday by Fleet. Neither team however was able to create any clear cut chances to test the keepers, with both team having several free-kicks sailing over cross-bar.
Burnham came closest to scoring when just before half time, sloppy defending from Fleet saw the Burnham striker, with the ball at his feet, on the edge of the penalty area with only the keeper to beat. Peter Hooks did well to force the striker to go wide and shoot from a tight angle, allowing Gary Connolly to get back in time to put the shot out of a corner.
The second half got underway with both sides making changes. Fleet started the most positively, and Gary Connolly was unlucky not to score straight from a corner, with the Burnham defender on the post just managing to get his head to the ball to clear.
Fleet's goal came after 60 minutes when Richard Mealey after gaining possession in the centre circle ran at the Burnham defence. Mealey played the ball out to the right for Lee Paul, who in turn crossed the ball to give Eddie Smith a tap in from the edge of 6 yard box.
On 65 minutes Fleet changed keepers and brought on Calvin Sparshatt. At the other end of the pitch a Tony Millerick corner was headed just wide by Lee Paul.
Substitute Jason Smith showed good ball control to get Fleets second goal (75mins) by dribbling the ball past several Burnham defenders near the edge of the penalty area and rounding keeper Burnham keeper Steve Smith.
Lee Paul completed a good performance by Fleet when, after 81 minutes, a good run down the left channel was followed by a fierce shot into the top right of the net to score a well deserved goal after Lee had impressed all evening.
Fleet Town; Peter Hooks, Ben Buckland, Tony Millerick, Gary Connolly, Andy Darton, Neil Morant, Dan Jeffery, Richard Mealey, Lee Paul, Ed Smith, Tom Simpson
Sub's (all used): Calvin Sparshatt, Steve Black, Danny Boyle, Jason Smith, Steele Saunders, Ed Hare.
Burnham: Steve Smith, Mark Bartley, Paul Brett, Stewart Brown, Daryl Jones, Ashley Smith, Adam Logie, Chris Ferdinand, Ray Spence, Shane Small-King, Tom Nutter, Steve Noakes, Jon Horsted, Leigh Elliot, Riccardo Cannon, Wayne Morris, Reece Richardson
