Report by Steve Cantle

Fleet’s form took a nose-dive on Saturday, as they crashed to their worst defeat of the season so far.

Unbeaten in the league since the end of August, Andy Sinton’s side showed rare defensive brittleness, conceding three goals inside the first half-hour to a slick Met Police side. After such a poor start Fleet found it impossible to get back in the game, despite rallying well and dominating for the whole of the second period.

Once again Sinton had to name an inexperienced mid-field to start the game. Michael Douglas was again unavailable, but Phil John was back from suspension, and Sinton was able to bring back injured Darren Campbell for a place of the bench. Keeper, Justin Gray was still side-lined by injury.

Fleet started brightly enough, and should have gone ahead on 5 minutes, from their first corner of the game, when a Steve Noakes header was knocked on by John but came back off the bar.

At the other end Fleet keeper, Paul Smith saved well from the Met’s James Evans on 11 minutes. But from the resulting corner, Noakes was uncharacteristically dispossessed and new signing, Luke Cornwall just beat Smith to the loose ball to open the scoring for his side.

Four minutes later the home extended their lead, John Daly heading over Smith from 15 yards out.

With Fleet’s mid-field unable to exert any control, the Met side kept up the pressure and on 30 minutes added a third, Cornwall firing home from close range, after Fleet again failed to clear the ball, following a free-kick.

Sinton immediately brought Campbell on to the right wing, replacing Read and switched James Field to the left side. Thereafter Fleet looked dangerous. Campbell’s fine ball skills soon cut through the Police defence and in the 37th minute earned a free-kick from just outside the area. Field duly stepped up and blasted the ball into the top right hand corner of the net to get one back for Fleet.

Sinton made further changes during the break, bringing on Steve Hemmings for White, and Fleet continued to dominate. On 61 minutes Hemmings went close with a powerful header from a free-kick. Campbell and Wallace had chances, but each time saw their shots saved by Met Police keeper, Will Packham.

Fleet continued to push hard but with two minutes remaining conceded a fourth goal, totally against the run of the play; sub, Ian Batten netting from 25 yards to cap a deserved win for his side.

Fleet are in league action again tonight (Tuesday), at Calthorpe Park, when they entertain Hastings United. Kick off is at 7.45pm.