Report from – Cub Reporter:
Yeeeeeeeees!!!! Fleet Town finally got their hands on a trophy this evening in beating Gosport Borough 2-0 to win the Russell Cotes cup. This cup is the second most prestigious one in the County (after the Senior Cup) and its the first time that the Blues have won it since 2003, indeed Gosport were last seasons winners.
The game itself was played on a fairly good surface although a very strong wind added to the fun and games and unpredictability of the game.
In what promised to be an even contest following Gosport's success in the Wessex League to elevate them to Step 4 football both teams named full strength teams indicating their desire to take the honours. Fleet Town however dominated the game early on and deservedly took the lead in the 11th minute when a Jermaine Hamilton piledriver was parried and rebounded to Will Salmon who g lee fully crashed the ball into the net for only his second FTFC goal ever. Indeed Will was so surprised himself that he almost forgot how to celebrate!
The rest of the half was fairly even and Paul Smith had to make three reaction saves to keep the Blues noses in front but we always looked capable of adding to our lead and it was no surprise when we doubled it with a Tony Reid solo effort on half time. Reidy reacting well to an under hit backpass to advance on goal and curl the ball around the giant keeper into the net.
The second half saw plenty of action and although Gosport had chances they seemed incapable of hitting the target. Fleet on the other hand hit the target several times but the opposition keeper was alert to stop the Blues adding to their tally and leaving Wallace, Field, Hamilton and Reid rueing what might have been.
After the teams unrewarded exertions from the previous week there was much celebration at the final whistle as Mark Pat erson was presented with the trophy and Will got the MoM award too. From the terraces we also felt Reidy and Chalky deserved a special mention for their performances but perhaps it was Wills spectacular goal that swayed the decision in his favour.
That said who cares! We won, we deserved to win and it's off to Thatcham Town on Saturday to secure another trophy and end our record season on a high.
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