Fleet crash out of league cup

Report by Steve Cantle

Field scores Fleet's opener

Fleet’s great start to the season suffered a setback on Tuesday night, as they exited the Ryman League Cup competition in dramatic style.

It was a night of surprising missed chances and defensive errors for Andy Sinton’s side, a reversal of the form shown during Saturday’s 4-1 defeat of Dulwich which had lifted them to the top of the Ryman Division One South.

Enfield proved to be lively opponents and matched Fleet right from the off in their pace and tight tackling. Currently third in the Ryman Division One North, the visitors gave Fleet little time to settle and although going behind to a James Field goal on 20 minutes, immediately struck back to equalise a minute later, through striker, Brett Donnelly.

For the final ten minutes of the first half, Fleet did begin to dominate possession but created no further chances.

The stalemate continued for 25 minutes after the interval, with neither side able to threaten. The deadlock was finally broken in the 70th minute when Enfield sub, Owen Beale scored direct from a free-kick, curling the ball around the Fleet wall. This fine strike was matched by Field two minutes later when the wingman netted his second of the evening, with a perfectly struck 25 yard free-kick, giving the Enfield keeper no chance to save.

With things all square Fleet then took charge and for the final 20 minutes of normal time played their best football of the game, but failed to put away the chances they created. The first, to wingman, Shaun Hale, went inches wide of the upright. The other chances fell to sub striker, Nathan Smart, whose fresh pace unnerved the previously solid Enfield defence. Several times Smart broke through with only the keeper to beat. But each time his shot went wide, or just over the crossbar.

With 5 minutes to go Enfield could have sealed the tie themselves when, from close range, Beale’s shot came back off the bar. But the scores remained level, at 2-2, pushing the tie into a further 30 minutes of extra time.

The extra period began with a frenzy of goals. First, after only 2 minutes Enfield went ahead, Donnelly netting his second from the penalty spot. Then Fleet levelled things one minute later, Mark Paterson heading in a free-kick from Field.

Eight minutes later disaster struck for Fleet when a mix-up between Hale and mid-fielder, Will Salmon gave Donnelly an easy chance for his hat-trick, which he duly accepted.

Fleet fought hard over the final 20 minutes to get back in the game, but despite again dominating possession, they were unable to break through.

Fleet visit Essex side, AFC Hornchurch on Saturday for the first round of matches in this year’s FA Trophy competition. It will be a further tough test for Sinton’s men as their opponents currently lie second, one place above Enfield in the Ryman Div One North table. Kick off is at 3pm.