Report by Steve Cantle

A goal in injury-time by Kingstonian striker, Kenny Ojukwa provided a fitting finale to this highly entertaining contest – a full dress rehearsal for next Saturday’s FA Trophy second round contest between the same two well-matched sides.

Going ahead twice in the game, Fleet were, in the end good value for their share of the points, as they continue to consolidate their mid-table league position.

Boss Andy Sinton was forced to make two changes from the side that had beaten 3rd place Horsham in mid-week. Promising wingman James Field was re-called for Aldershot’s cup match and skipper Steve Noakes was suspended. This allowed an immediate first-team start for Ian Dickens, newly signed from the Kingstonian club in mid-week. There was also a start for youngster Martin Girling.

The Fleet side initially stole the initiative, taking the lead in the 25th minute when defender, Paul George headed home a Terry Davies free-kick. This after Fleet wingman, Aaron Lennon had rattled the upright with a powerful shot a few minutes before.

Five minutes later striker Tony Reid levelled things for the visitors, heading in a curling ball from wingman Martyn Lee, which Fleet keeper, Justin Gray just failed to gather in the wet conditions.

After the break it was a cross from Lee, this time a free-kick, that had provided the visitors’ second goal on 58 minutes – headed in firmly by skipper Julian Sills – which put the Surrey men ahead for the only time in the match.

Fleet fought back strongly to level things again on 64 minutes, defender James Mann firing in from a corner, after Kingstonian keeper Chuck Martini had saved well from Fleet’s Eddie Smith.

Six minutes later though, Fleet were back in front after Martini mis-judged the pace of a shot from Smith, and let the ball slip through his hands and into the net – thus setting up the tense final 20 minutes of high-octane football.

Bookings (6):

31 mins Davies (Fleet)
34 mins Lee (Kingstonian)
35 mins Smith (Fleet)
54 mins Julius (Kingstonian)
57 mins George (Fleet)
64 mins John (Fleet)