Report by Steve Cantle

Fleet resumed their league programme with a bang on Tuesday night with a five-goal rout of mangerless, Bashley.

In a stroke, the win catapulted Andy Sinton’s side seven places up the Division One table to rest in 9th place by the end of the evening – their highest ever league position at this level – with only the one defeat in ten league outings so far this season. It was also Bashley’s worst home defeat for five seasons.

The New Forest side, which parted company with manager, Dave Wakefield and coach, Andy Darnton ten days ago, never looked in the contest, after Fleet gradually took control after a quiet first 30 minutes.

Defender James Mann almost put Fleet in front on 38 minutes, after his header hit the bar and Bash keeper, Stacey Harper somehow managed to block the re-bound on the line, and turn it round for a corner.

But a minute later striker Ed Smith nodded the ball down for wingman, James Field to smash in with a powerful shot from the edge of the area. Sixty seconds later it was 2-0 when striker, James Rose saw his shot deflect off defender, Neil Morant and inside the post.

Fleet’s scoring continued unchecked after the break. On 53 minutes, Ed Smith dispossessed Bashley caretaker-boss, Steve Riley, cut inside and smashed the ball in from close range.

Twenty minutes from time, Smith got his second of the night, hooking the ball home from close range. Field completed the scoring from a 77th minute corner, after Harper had first made an excellent save to deny Rose seconds earlier.

Fleet keeper, Justin Gray made a good late save from Bashley striker, Sayem Kabir late on. But Fleet were well worth their victory, without ever really getting out of third gear.