Blues Survive Early Shock to Stage Stunning Comeback at Abbey Rangers

Abbey Rangers 2 Fleet Town 5. We travelled to Addlestone Moor on Saturday sitting top of the table to face third-placed Abbey Rangers in what always looked likely to be one of our toughest tests of the season so far.

We started brightly enough, enjoying plenty of possession and creating several half-chances, but for the first time this season we suddenly found ourselves behind.

We had struggled early on with the pace of Abbey’s Ade Onasanya on the break and it was he who forced the corner which led to the opening goal on nine minutes. The resulting delivery somehow found its way into our net, with the goal officially awarded to Matthew Surman, although from the sidelines it appeared it may have gone directly in from the corner.

If going behind was unfamiliar territory for us, things got even more difficult just ten minutes later.

Once again Onasanya was at the heart of the Abbey attack, using his pace to create the opportunity before former Fleet Town player Connor Young supplied the finish to make it 2-0 to the home side after just 19 minutes.

We and our impressively large travelling support were understandably stunned. Having enjoyed such a strong start to the season, we suddenly found ourselves facing a real test of character against one of the division’s strongest sides.

Gradually, though, we regained our composure. We began to take control of possession again and increasingly pushed Abbey back towards their own goal as we searched for a way back into the contest.

Just as it appeared Abbey would take their two-goal advantage into the interval, the whole complexion of the match changed dramatically.

First, Ollie Burke produced a clever turn before finding Sam Bartlett, who finished well to reduce the deficit. Then, just moments later, Alex McAllister produced another lovely turn before confidently firing home the equaliser.

Two goals in quick succession and, from seemingly nowhere, we went into half-time level at 2-2 and with all the momentum.

Having survived the scares of the opening half, we flew out of the blocks after the restart and immediately put Abbey under heavy pressure.

On 51 minutes the comeback was complete. Burke broke from around the halfway line and raced clear of the Abbey defence. His first effort was well blocked by another former Fleet player, goalkeeper Sam Gray, but Ollie reacted quickest to the rebound and made no mistake to put us ahead for the first time.

Just two minutes later it was 4-2. Bartlett’s effort was saved but Kevin De Barros was perfectly placed to react to the loose ball and finish well, giving us some breathing space after a remarkable turnaround.

The excitement wasn’t over there.

On 57 minutes we introduced newly signed centre-forward Tyler Robinson for his Blues debut and it took him less than five minutes to make an immediate impact.

Billy Oram played a clever ball into the striker, who showed his strength to shrug off the challenge of an Abbey defender before drilling a powerful left-footed finish into the net. It was the perfect introduction for Robinson and suddenly we had gone from 2-0 down to 5-2 ahead.

We were now firmly in control, but there was still time for one final twist when Abbey Rangers were awarded a penalty.

The decision looked a little harsh from the sidelines, but Harry White ensured it made no difference. Our goalkeeper produced a brilliant save, diving low to his right to keep out the spot kick and maintain our three-goal advantage.

It completed a remarkable afternoon for The Blues. Two goals down after just 19 minutes away to a side sitting third in the table, we were facing our biggest test of the season so far. Our response was emphatic – five unanswered goals, including three in a devastating spell early in the second half, turned the game completely on its head.

It was another impressive display of character and attacking quality from the lads, backed throughout by our superb travelling support at Addlestone Moor.

The 5-2 victory further consolidates our position at the top of the table and, with no midweek fixture, we now have a full week to prepare before welcoming Balham to the Easy As HGV Stadium next Saturday.

Thanks to Martin Griffiths (words) and Matt Steele (photos)