New signing Andy Sinton made a dream start for Fleet Town, as his side completed their pre-season programme with a fine win against Eastleigh.
The former England international inspired the home side as they twice came from behind to win against a lively Eastleigh team.
Welcomed to the club at the start by local MP, James Arbuthnot, the 37 year old Sinton showed his class throughout to help Fleet record their fifth pre-season win out of seven. Also present was Cllr Viv Street, Chairman of Hart District Council.
The visitors scored first in the 8th minute when Eastleigh striker, Darryn Jones netted from close range after a mistake in the Fleet defence. Fleet took a while to settle, but squared things on 37 minutes, when sub striker, Richard Mealey linked well with strike partner, Ed Smith to tap past Eastleigh keeper, Sam Webb.
Eastleigh replied immediately from the re-start winning a free-kick 25 yards out, which Neil Davis struck powerfully into the top corner past the diving Fleet keeper, Peter Houkes.
Fleet came out strongly after the break and were soon on top, Smith going close with two well-struck shots, before being replaced up front by sub, Steele Saunders.
Saunders immediately made an impact with some powerful running and neat passing, one pass in the 65th minute finding mid-fielder, Gareth Keeping, who beat Webb with a well-struck volley into the corner from 10 yards out.
Fleet continued to press for the winner, and almost managed it 6 minutes later when mid-fielder Gary Connolly saw his powerful header just gathered by Webb, at full stretch.
Fleet's winner finally came with just four minutes to go, when sub, Brian Wood, who had just returned from fighting in Iraq, scored the best goal of the match, a powerful left-footed strike into the far corner of the net, after running on to another great pass from Saunders.
Fleet Town: Houkes, Buckland, (sub, Jeffrey, 70 mins), Johnson, Connolly, Darnton, Flitter, Keeping, Sinton, Paul, (Mealey, 27), Eddie Smith, (Steele Saunders, 62), Murphy, (Wood, 70). Subs not used: Paul Smith (res. Keeper).
