Fleet surrender in cup final disaster

Report by Steve Cantle.

It was not the anticipated season finale for Fleet Town on Saturday, as they surrendered the Basingstoke Senior Cup to Thatcham Town in disastrous fashion.

Favourites to win their second cup in four days, Andy Sinton's men never looked like pegging back a three-goal deficit conceded during a disappointing opening half-hour. A missed penalty in the closing minutes merely added salt to the wound after such a poor performance so soon after lifting the Russell Cotes Cup in last Wednesday's final at Gosport Borough.

There was added significance to the game, coming after unofficial confirmation that Fleet would be joining Thatcham in the Southern League next season. In a decision expected to be ratified by the FA Tuesday, the geographical boundaries of the Ryman and Southern Leagues will shift east, meaning that Fleet will switch leagues ahead of next season.

Fleet started the stronger on Saturday, and were soon pressing for the opener. Disaster struck in the 7th minute from the home side's first attack, a mistake by Paul Smith in the Fleet goal conceding a corner. A few seconds later, Sam Rea's header was in the back of the net to open the scoring.

There was further heart-break for Fleet 15 minutes later when Smith failed to gather a long throw-in from the right, Thatcham's Sean Cook claiming the goal.

The home side added a third 7 minutes later, this time from a free-kick 20 yards out on the left. After failing to clear the ball, Jamie Green netted from a tight angle, his shot taking a slight deflection to defeat the luckless Smith.

Fleet's best chance came 3 minutes before the interval, Mark Paterson's header clipping the crossbar after the defender made good contact with a corner from James Field.

After the interval Fleet went all out to get back in the game, but found Thatcham keeper, Paul Stroudley in top form, the young keeper bringing off several fines saves to keep his side in front. One save at full stretch just denied Fleet's Phil John from a free-kick.

The home side continued to look dangerous on the break, but Smith did well on several occasions to deny any further goals. Fleet's penalty when it finally came, in the 88 th minute was too late. But Stroudley anticipated well to deny James Field's spot kick, after sub Ian Davies was brought down in the box.