A string of missed chances cost Fleet what should have been their first points of the season in their opening home league match at Calthorpe Park on Tuesday night.

But although dominating the match, more or less throughout, Mick Catlin’s men just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. In the end the missed chances cost Fleet the match, after visitors, Molesey, had scrambled a 64th minute goal, which Fleet defenders hotly disputed had never crossed the goal-line.

Right from the start the Fleet side took control, and it didn’t take too long for the Molesey keeper, Luke Garrard to come under serious pressure. Shots from Shaun Hale, and a header from striker, Richard Mealey both went close.

But the best chance fell to strike partner, Lee Paul, in the 22nd minute, who just had the keeper to beat after a great through ball from Hale. But Paul, who had just returned from a groin injury, couldn’t defeat the advancing Garrard. Paul then had a second chance to make amends, when direct from the corner he just failed to make contact with another great ball across the mouth of the goal, from Hale.

The visitors were kept on the back foot for the rest of the half, and although looking dangerous on the break, didn’t manage to put the Fleet goal under any serious pressure.

After the break, Fleet continued to dominate, creating plenty more chances to score. Paul again went close, as did mid-fielder, Dan Jeffery.

Disaster then struck for the home side when former Fleet veteran, Mark Frampton managed to make contact with a loose ball from a corner, which the referee judged to have crossed the line, despite the best efforts and protests of Fleet keeper, Peter Houkes.

Fleet continued to press, but another string of chances all went begging, as they desperately attempted to get back on terms. Hale again went close, as did sub-striker, Steele Saunders. But despite their best efforts, they couldn’t get back on terms.