Match Report: Fleet Town Edged Out in Opening Night Thriller

Fleet Town kicked off their new league campaign under the lights at the Easy As HGV Stadium on Tuesday night, welcoming local rivals Alton for what proved to be a fast-paced and entertaining encounter. Despite a spirited performance and a string of promising individual displays, Fleet were narrowly beaten 3-2 in a match that saw both teams battle hard for early-season bragging rights.

The game began with both sides struggling to find early rhythm, with possession being surrendered a little too easily in the opening exchanges. The first clear opportunity of the match fell to Alton, when former Fleet player Josh Stepney whipped in a teasing cross that found the head of Adam Poynter, only for his effort to drift wide of the post.

Fleet responded almost immediately. Reyon Dillon found himself with a sight of goal just outside the area, but Alton’s goalkeeper Adam Melville was equal to the strike, getting down well to make the save. Theo White also went close moments later with a powerful drive from the right-hand side of the box, but his low shot flashed just wide of the far post.

Just before the half-hour mark, Alton winger Angel Zapata made a strong run and delivered a dangerous ball into the box, which again found Poynter, but Fleet’s defence stood firm to deflect the resulting shot out for a corner. It was end-to-end stuff—and it was Fleet who drew first blood. New signing Ollie Burke, who had looked lively throughout, broke through the Alton defence and unleashed a thunderous strike past Melville to put Fleet ahead with a memorable debut goal.

Unfortunately for the Blues, the lead was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Matt Benham’s long ball forward caused confusion at the back, and Alton’s Alex Macallister nipped in to round the keeper and level the score. The visitors quickly took control, and in the 38th minute, another Macallister shot was saved by Fleet keeper Sam Gray, but Owen Tanner reacted quickest to bury the rebound and give Alton a 2-1 lead going into the break.

Fleet looked to regroup after the interval, but it was Alton who struck first again. Substitute Luke Perkins missed an early chance before turning provider, setting up Macallister to notch his second of the game and Alton’s third on 53 minutes.

Despite the setback, Fleet dug deep and began to grow into the second half. With fresh legs from the bench, including Finlay Warren and Brad Manning, Fleet began to turn the tide. Wingers Theo White and George Sellick caused constant problems down the flanks, delivering dangerous balls into the box and forcing several corners.

Their pressure paid off midway through the half, when Andy Matthews rose highest from a corner to head the ball goalward. Although Alton attempted to clear the ball after it had clearly crossed the line, the referee awarded the goal and Fleet had renewed hope at 3-2.

The final twenty minutes saw Fleet push hard for an equaliser, camped in Alton’s half as chance after chance came their way. Finlay Warren’s curling effort grazed past the post, and Matthews had another header fly just wide. A late save from Melville kept out a goal-bound strike in the dying moments, and despite their efforts, Fleet couldn’t find the leveller.

It was a frustrating end to a spirited performance from the new-look Fleet side, but there were plenty of positives to take into the games ahead—not least the attacking threat and team spirit on display.

Fleet Town:

1. Sam Gray

2. Tom Drinkwater

3. Joe Dycett

4. Eoin Fraser (C)

5. Andy Matthews

6. Ollie Burke

7. Reyon Dillon

8. Sean Swift

9. Charlie Postance

10. Theo White

11. George Sillick

Subs:
14. Liam Avery
15. Finlay Warren (on for Dillon)
16. Brad Manning (on for White)
17. Lewis Hillary (on for Swift)
20. T.J. Taylor (on for Dycett)

Fleet Town are next in action this Saturday in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, as they travel to AFC Stoneham for what promises to be another exciting contest.