A first-half strike by midfielder, Michael Douglas was enough to take Fleet into last four of the Hants Senior Cup, at the expense of Southern League side, Winchester City.

It was a welcome return to winning form for Andy Sinton’s side, after a lean spell of postponed games and dropped points during which time they fell to 4th place in Ryman Division One. Douglas’ goal in the 29th minute provided the inspiration for Tuesday evening’s return to form.

Fleet dominated throughout the game and at times played fluent passing football reminiscent of their early season style of play. Striker Adam Wallace looked sharp as the lone frontman, linking well with wingmen, Darren Campbell and James Field.

The goal came after a prolonged period of pressure by the Fleet side, which severely tested the visitors’ backline. Time after the time the Winchester defence were give little time to clear the ball. Eventually, from a Field corner, the ball fell to the feet of Douglas, whose powerful drive from close range gave Winchester keeper, David Hook no chance to save.

Three minutes later it should have been 2-0 after Field ran on a ball from the right from Campbell, but his volley from 10 yards out soared over the bar. Wallace then went close on 40 minutes with a well-struck shot from close range that went inches past the upright. A minute later Field had his header cleared from the goal-line by a defender, with Hook beaten.

At the other end, Fleet keeper, Paul Smith was a spectator for most of the first 45 minutes, with the visitors creating just one chance, a header from Jamie Musslewhite’s header which Smith watched fly wide of the target.

After the break it was more of the same for Fleet, as they again pressed to extend their lead. Campbell went close in the 61st minute after a fine run down the right, and from the resulting corner, Steve Noakes’ well-struck header flew just inches to the right of the goal.

With 10 minutes to go, Smith had to react quickly to block a shot from Winchester’s Mark Gamble. It turned out to be the visitors’ only shot on target for the whole 90 minutes, underlining Fleet’s domination of the match.

Sub, Ed Smith almost extended Fleet’s lead in the closing seconds of the game with a fine individual effort, but his shot just missed the target.