Photos by BigSteve

Hemmings strike brings Fleet home

Report by Steve Cantle

An 8th minute goal by Fleet defender, Steve Hemmings decided this clash between two sides chasing a play-off place.

Dover came into the game on the back of a hat-trick of wins, but found Fleet’s keeper, Justin Gray in fine form behind a strong defence.

Fleet looked the more threatening side at the start, and scored from their first attacking move. A free-kick from the left was collected by wingman, James Field, whose high cross into the box was met by Hemmings, the defender just beating Dover keeper, Glen Knight to the ball to head in from close range.

For the next 20 minutes Fleet continued to dominate the mid-field where Matty Lewis was outstanding. Ill-discipline by the Fleet defence then provided the visitors with a string of free-kicks in dangerous positions. But they failed to capitalise.

Gradually Dover got back in the game and it needed a fine stop by Gray in the 34th minute to deny striker James Dryden.

After the break, Fleet’s Adam Wallace went close, but his firm strike went over the bar. The visitors continued to press for the equaliser, but looked short of ideas against a tight Fleet defence. Their best chance again fell to Dryden, whose close-range, left-footed strike in the 78th minute brought another fine save from Gray.