Report by Steve Cantle

The bubble burst for Fleet Town on Tuesday night, when they were outplayed by a slick Tooting side, and crashed to their first league defeat of the season.

The hammer blow came during a 9 minute spell late in the first-half, when Tooting front man, Jason Pinnock netted three times to send Fleet reeling. A fourth goal 10 minutes into the second-half added further punishment to a shell-shocked Fleet side.

Having conceded only four goals in their first 7 league outings so far this season, the humbled Fleet side left the field at the end, wondering how they had managed to double the number in the goals against column, from just one further outing.

Fleet boss, Andy Sinton was not helped before the start of the match with the news that wing-back, Don Chislett had not recovered from flu, and with front-man, James Rose still suspended, he was forced to make changes to his line-up, but stuck with the 4-5-1 formation that had played so well at Cray the week before.

After an even first 10 minutes, the visitors soon began to dominate the mid-field and their forwards were soon putting Fleet’s goal under serious pressure. A shot by striker, Gavin Grant in the 21st minute hit the bar with Fleet keeper, Justin Gray stranded.

The pressure on Gray continued and on 30 minutes, Pinnock scored his first with a brilliant left-footed drive into the top corner of the net from 15 yards out. Two minutes later, it was Pinnock again who rounded two defenders and shot past a diving Gray, again from 15 yards.

Pinnock’s hat-trick was duly completed 7 minutes later, when with a neat finish he fired home from close range to complete the first-half rout.

Sinton changed formation in the second-half, bringing on striker Nathan Smart to partner Ed Smith up front. But although Fleet began to compete more strongly, Tooting continued to press, creating many further chances to add to their tally. The fourth goal came on 56 minutes, when Grant had plenty of time to pick his spot from the edge of the 18 yard box, giving Gray no chance.

The visitors continued to create chances and could have added several more goals, but for some fine defending from Fleet’s skipper, Steve Noakes.

At the other end, Tooting keeper, Jonty Venter had a quiet evening, not having to make a single save during the entire 90 minutes.

For Saturday’s visit to league new-boys, Walton Casuals, Sinton should have Chislett and Rose back in his side, but he has some re-building to do after tonight’s disappointments.

Bookings:

Fleet Town: 45 minutes; Ed Smith (booked)
Tooting: 70 minute; Hartburn (booked)