Report by Steve Cantle

Fleet’s recent progress came to stuttering halt on Saturday, losing out to a slick Croydon side. Fleet were undone in the end by a brilliantly taken goal by Croydon striker, Matt Fowler, 13 minutes from time. Up to this point it had been anyone’s game at 1-1, with both sides creating chances.

Fleet had taken the lead early on through Arron Lennon. His 11th minute power-drive shot from 20 yards, giving Luke Garrard no chance in the Croydon goal. The Fleet wingman had run on to a neat pass from striker, Damian Panter, after great work from strike-partner, Ed Smith.

Croydon fought back immediately and it needed a string of classy saves from Fleet keeper, Justin Gray, to keep his side ahead. After the third of these saves, from a Fowler shot, in the 23rd minute, Gray then inexplicably mis-judged his clearance kick. Croydon’s Eben Allen was first to the mis-kick, and only had to beat the retreating keeper to score, and he did.

Fleet then found it hard to penetrate Croydon’s tight defence, with skipper, James Gibson outstanding.

After the break, the visitors’ grip on the game relaxed and Smith almost scored for Fleet, but his quick-thinking strike on 53 minutes rebounded from the upright, with Garrard beaten. Smith had another chance 20 minutes later but stand-in keeper, Dave Hyatt saved well.

Finally Fowler broke the deadlock, after a fast break out of defence, and Gray could only watch as the striker’s neat lob went over his head and into the goal.

The game was already lost when Fleet conceded a third goal late in injury-time, Barry Stevens heading home a loose ball from close range.

Fleet’s Hants Senior Cup tie against Aldershot, scheduled for tonight (Tuesday) has been further postponed, due to Aldershot replaying their FA Trophy tie.