Record breaking season for Fleet despite final stalemate
By Steve Cantle At Central Park , Sittingbourne
It was a subdued ending to Fleet's league programme on Saturday, as their final fixture ended goal-less.
Still with an outside chance of finishing second in the Division One table, Fleet went into the game having secured maximum points from their previous five league games, and knowing that a win would secure a minimum fourth place finish.
But despite dominating for most of the 90 minutes, they were unable to score. In the end, with all the other leading sides winning, Fleet dropped a place to 5th . They now face a difficult play-off tie tonight (Tuesday), at league runners-up, Tooting & Mitcham, to keep their promotion hopes alive. It will be a tough trip for Fleet as Tooting is unbeaten in the league since the beginning of January and is a side that Fleet have never beaten.
Once again it was a case of wayward finishing by a Fleet side that has often found it hard to hit the target. In addition they had to contend with an in-form Brickies keeper, Steve Williams, who made several smart, one-handed saves.
Fleet started well and were soon playing fluently. They looked most dangerous from set-pieces, and once again James Field was in great form with some well-struck corners and free-kicks. But the home side's defence held up well.
The best chances fell to striker, Tony Reid. But twice Williams was able to save from the lively front-man. There was a set-back on the half-hour when striker Adam Wallace had to be helped from the pitch with a bruised Achilles. He was replaced by Jermaine Hamilton.
After the break the home side came more into the game and keeper, Paul Smith had to be alert to save well from Lee Browning late on. With 5 minutes to go, wingman, Nathan Smart looked to have stolen the points, but his firm strike came back off the upright with Williams finally beaten.
Last Thursday Fleet qualified for their third cup final of their record-breaking season, when they beat Tadley Calleva 3-1 in the semi-final of the Basingstoke Senior Cup. A date for the final against Southern League side, Thatcham Town has yet to be fixed.
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