Smith treble as classy Fleet win again
By Steve Cantle
At Calthorpe Park
A second-half hat-trick by striker, Eddie Smith sealed another deserved win for Fleet against higher league opponents, ending an unbeaten pre-season programme in fine style.
The result will raise hopes of a successful early-season campaign for Andy Sinton's men, which begins next Saturday with the season opener against Hillingdon Borough.
With five goals in his last two games, Smith again was in sizzling form, his powerful running and sharpness in front of goal proving too much for another top flight Ryman league defence.
Once again there were some new faces in Fleet's line-up as Sinton looked to ink in the remaining places in his first-team squad. Resting wingman James Field after he limped off in Tuesday's training match, the boss brought in Aldershot youngsters, Jason Milletti and George Hardy for their first games. And there were places on the bench for James Wise and Diak John.
Both sides made a tentative start in the warm conditions, but Fleet soon took control, Smith and strike-partner, Adam Wallace playing a slick one-two to create the game's first chance with only a few minutes gone. Wallace was unlucky not to score from the move, his shot just going wide of the target. Smith himself then had a second chance a few minutes later, but his left-footed strike rose steeply over the bar.
These were the only two chances of an otherwise quiet first-half, in which Fleet looked the more creative side in attack. For their part, visitors' Horsham were finding it hard to penetrate Fleet's tight defensive formation, again ably led by skipper, Steve Noakes.
After the interval Fleet quickly took control, putting the Horsham defence immediately under pressure. A free-kick just outside the 18 yard box on 48 minutes was well-struck by Phil John and just parried away by keeper, Alan Mansfield. Smith was then unlucky not to open the scoring from the resulting corner after Horsham failed to clear the ball.
But from their next attack Fleet took the lead, Smith scoring from the penalty spot after being tripped by Mansfield , when clean through on goal.
Eight minutes later Smith added his second, picking up a loose ball after some good work by Wallace, and giving Mansfield no chance with a neat finish from 10 yards out.
Fleet began to pile on the pressure, both Phil John and Michael Douglas winning plenty of possession in mid-field and running at the Horsham defence. It was from one such run by John in the 76 th minute that brought the third goal. Beating off two tackles the mid-fielder flicked the ball across to Smith, who again finished crsiply to seal the game.
The visitors pegged one back with 9 minutes remaining, striker Lee Carney knocking in a powerful 20 yard drive which gave Paul Smith no chance in the Fleet goal.
Sub James Wise then made it four for Fleet on 90 minutes with a well directed header.
Fleet's league season opens on Saturday against Hillingdon Borough. Kick-off at Calthorpe Park is at 3pm.
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