Report by Steve Cantle

Neither side took their chances and had to settle for a share of the points in this tense goal-less contest at Calthorpe Park.

After defeat in the mud at Molesey on Saturday, this was an improved performance by Andy Sinton’s side, defending well against a side for which a win would have taken them to the league top spot for the first time this season.

Injuries on Saturday forced Sinton to make changes to Tuesday night’s line-up, with youngsters, Glenn Cockerell, Will Salmon and Matty Lewis having to be rested. Cockerell and the other Woking signing, Matt Ruby, both impressed at Molesey, and so Ruby held his place to partner skipper Steve Noakes in the heart of the Fleet defence.

But to begin with neither Ruby nor Noakes saw much of the ball, as Fleet started the stronger side. For the first 15 minutes, Fleet completely dominated the mid-field, and were unlucky not to score after just 6 minutes, when wingman James Field picked up a loose ball 15 yards out, but his fierce shot was just blocked out by the Rams defence.

Gradually the visitors settled and for the next 30 minutes took charge, passing the ball well, and looking dangerous from the set-piece play. Defender Edd Vahid was the pick of the visitors, making several fine runs and going close with several fierce shots. Fleet were fortunate in the end to go in at the break all-square.

The second half was similar to the first, Fleet dominating the first 15 minutes, but then Ramsgate taking control for the next thirty. In the Fleet goal, Justin Gray was kept busy, and was forced to make a number of good saves, particularly one from Rams striker, Shaun Welford, to keep his side in the game.

On 70 minutes Fleet’s best chance fell to Smith after sub Damian Panter had forced a mis-kick from the Rams keeper, James Plumley. The ball ricocheted directly to Smith who only needed to control the spinning ball to score into an open goal. But his shot went wide of the target. The final 20 minutes was all Ramsgate, but the Fleet defence together with the acrobatic Gray kept it level, to earn a deserved point, and a move their side one place up the table, to 10th.position.

Fleet are in league action at Calthorpe Park again on Saturday, when the visitors are 6th place, Leatherhead. Kick-off is 3pm.