Report by Steve Cantle

A controversial sending-off 15 minutes into the second-half proved costly for Fleet, as their promising start to 2006 came crashing to a halt at Molesey.

With the scores level at 1-1, Fleet mid-fielder Terry Davies was judged to have tripped James Mepham, after the Molesey front-man had broken through and was clear on goal, with only keeper Justin Gray to beat. Molesey wingman, Phil Ruggles stepped up and hammered the resulting free-kick straight into the net to put his side in front for the first time in the game.

With Fleet reduced to ten men, the home side then used the man-advantage effectively and added a third nine minutes later, when Ruggles ran on to a through ball and flicked the ball past an advancing Gray in the Fleet goal.

Things had looked very different for Fleet in the first half, as they dominated most of the play, scoring first on 27 minutes through striker Ed Smith. Seconds before, Smith had seen his first shot well blocked by Molesey keeper, John Ashwood. But Fleet skipper, Steve Noakes gathered the rebound, skillfully fed it back to Smith who made no mistake second time round, for his 11th league goal of the season to date. Earlier wingman, Josh Millar went close as Fleet took the early advantage, but his shot was well saved by Ashwood.

Fleet were cruising and could have added more, when an uncharacteristic error at the back let in Molesey front-man, Mepham, to net the equaliser from a corner, on the stroke of half-time.

After the interval Fleet never recovered from the sending off, and the defeat dropped the side three places to 11th in the league table.

Manager Andy Sinton had decided to go into the game with starts for his two mid-week signings from Woking, central defender, Matt Ruby, and mid-fielder, Sam Cockerell, son of Woking manager, Glenn Cockerell. Both players had signed for Fleet on one-month loan deals from their Conference home club, and on the evidence of Saturday, looked shrewd signings by the ex-England international.

Both new players now face a tough task tonight (Tuesday) at Calthorpe Park, when Fleet entertain Ramsgate, one of the sides fancied for the Division One title this season. The match kicks off at 7.45pm