Report by Steve Cantle

Two goals in a strong first-half showing was enough to seal the three points and take Fleet one step closer to a play-off place.

The win lifted Andy Sinton’s side above Dover to 4th in the league table. They now only need to win one of their remaining two games to be guaranteed a shot at promotion in the play-off games. With only two points now separating the top four sides even the league title remains a possibility.

Sinton was able to name a strong side ahead of this crucial game, although he was still without Adam Wallace and Ed Smith who were each serving a 2-match suspension. Back in were Michael Douglas and Nathan Smart who were both missing from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat of Corinthian Casuals. It would be Douglas’ final appearance for Fleet before his RAF unit leaves for Afghanistan on Saturday.

After an even first 20 minutes, it was Fleet that gradually took control. Their first chance fell to Tony Reid, on 23 minutes, but the striker’s shot went just wide of the target. Three minutes later Douglas showed great skill as he burst through the Ashford defence. His pass across into the box was met by Jermaine Hamilton who controlled the ball well to score from close range.

Having taken the lead Fleet took complete control of the game and for the next ten minutes produced some fine attacking moves as they went all out for more goals. Phil John went close after one such move but he failed to control his shot. Douglas then had a similar chance but his shot soared over the bar. With seconds to go to the interval it was left to James Field to net Fleet’s second. The youngster had impressed once again with his ability to retain and distribute the ball. He ran on to a ball down the left and with great skill rounded the Ashford defender to score from a tight angle past keeper, James Whincup.

It was an impressive first half showing from the home side, coming after such a lacklustre showing on Saturday. But five minutes into the second half disaster struck for Fleet when skipper Steve Noakes made an uncharacteristic error at the back of the defence, allowing Ashford’s Nick Wright to run in and score past keeper, Justin Gray.

Noakes received an injury as he scrambled to prevent the goal and was substituted a few minutes later. On 60 minutes Gray too had to leave the field with a groin injury. The visitors saw their opportunity and began to play fluently for the first time in the match. Fleet’s chances on goal dried up as Ashford piled on the pressure for an equaliser.

As the game passed into injury time there was a final drama as sub keeper Paul Smith scuffed a clearance kick straight to an Ashford forward. Paterson managed to recover the ball but only by passing it straight back to Smith who had to save with his hands to prevent it going into the net. The resulting indirect free-kick a yard from the goal-line was eventually cleared but not before Smith parried away the resulting shot with a fine save.

Fleet entertain Croydon Athletic on Saturday at Calthorpe Park, kick-off 3pm. Fleet will be looking to extend their winning sequence to five matches against the south London side which has taken only one point from their last six league games.