Fleet end year in winning style

Report by Steve Cantle

Late goals by Steve Hemmings and Darren Campbell brought a winning end to 2006 for Fleet Town, and lifted the team back to the top of the Ryman Division One table.

The win continued an excellent run of form for Andy Sinton’s side, in which they have now won four and drawn two of their last six league games. And with league leaders, Dulwich Hamlet losing on Saturday, Fleet now have a clear three point advantage to take into the New Year.

Saturday’s match though very nearly didn’t happen for Fleet, after heavy rain during the interval created atrocious playing conditions at the Walton ground. Missing several key players going into the match, Sinton may well have preferred an abandonment when, with 20 minutes to go, the score was still stuck at 0-0. Neither side looked able to deal with the sodden, slippery conditions. But referee, Nigel Lugg kept the game going.

With Adam Wallace suspended and Ed Smith injured, Sinton called on Jermaine Hamilton and Nathan Smart to start the game up front. Ben White was back from suspension and Danny Smart came in for the absent, Michael Douglas to make his first start for many weeks.

Fleet started brightly, yet despite plenty of possession failed to threaten the Walton goal. The home side, on the other hand looked dangerous, and several times Fleet keeper, Paul Smith had to make sharp saves from the sprightly, ex-Fleet striker, Kevin Cooper.

Fleet’s first scoring chance came on 25 minutes when Hamilton forced a save from Walton keeper, Matt Reed, after a fine run by Nathan Smart, who again looked lively. Darren Campbell went close six minutes later after a well-worked move from a free-kick, but again Fleet were denied by Reed. Hamilton went close again on 42 minutes, this time from close range after a jinxing run at the Walton defence by Campbell.

Conditions worsened considerably during the half-time interval and the first 25 minutes of the second-half the game was played in near-torrential rain.

On 69 minutes Sinton switched things round, bringing on Josh Millar for Hamilton. Campbell moved from the right wing to play up front with Nathan Smart. Immediately things improved for Fleet.

With 20 minutes to go, Walton defender and skipper, James Pearson was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card for dangerous tackling.

Three minutes later Fleet went ahead, Steve Hemmings heading in Campbell’s well-struck corner. Fleet increased their lead two minutes later, Campbell firing in after a great run down the right by Millar.

With the man advantage, Fleet continued to press for more goals. But with 2 minutes to go Walton pegged one back, sub, James Crowe scoring from just outside the area, with his first touch of the game. But by then Fleet had done enough to seal an important win.

Fleet’s next game is on Saturday when the visitors to Calthorpe Park are Maidstone Utd, ko 3pm.