Reid winner keeps Fleet promotion hopes alive

Report by Steve Cantle

A late strike by striker, Tony Reid sealed this crucial league game for Fleet to keep alive their promotion hopes.

Two wins in two games means that Fleet have crept back into play-off contention, and now sit one point off 5th place Dover Athletic with a game in hand. With 9 more league games to play confidence remains high that Fleet's best ever season can yet end on a high note.

When tonight's teams played for the first time back in November, it was a game of missed opportunities for Fleet as they squandered almost a dozen chances to end up 0-0. Tuesday night's game had the same feel about it as for over 75 minutes as Fleet once again dominated, but were unable to score.

An entertaining first half saw Fleet enjoy some good passages of play, passing the ball well and putting pressure on the Horsham goal. Nathan Smart was the first to go close, hitting the woodwork after bursting through in the 15th minute. Mark Paterson then saw his firm header saved well by Horsham keeper, Dean Ruddy, from a corner.

On the half-hour it was Phil John's turn to strike, but his shot went wide of the target.

After the interval it was more of the same, as Fleet continued to be the only attacking side in the contest, the visitors appearing content to defend, and rarely troubled Fleet keeper, Paul Smith.

John had another chance just after the break, but again shot wide. Ten minutes later Jermaine Hamilton ran through the defence but Ruddy made a fine block to deny the striker.

With 30 minutes remaining it was time for boss Andy Sinton to gamble and he rang the changes, bringing on two fresh strikers, Ed Smith and Tony Reid in place of wingback, Ben White and front-man Hamilton.

Fleet pushed on for the winner, but struggled to settle after the changes. It was not until the 76th minute that the first chance came. A long ball up field was mis-judged by Ruddy who was then cleverly dispossessed by Smith on the far left side. Smith flicked a pass across the box and Reid was on hand to slot home from 10 yards out, after rounding his marker.

The goal was just reward for another gutsy performance by the Fleet side, which now travels to Molesey on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) to try and make it a hat-trick of league wins