Connor Holland’s Brace Keeps The Blues Flying High
Fleet Town 3 Camberley Town 1: Playing on their first wet and greasy surface of the season, Fleet Town overcame a resolute Camberley Town side to secure another deserved victory and maintain their excellent start to the League campaign, keeping The Blues right at the top of the table alongside Redhill.
The early team news confirmed that Fleet’s ever-present and highly consistent young goalkeeper Henry Grad had sustained a nasty injury which could unfortunately keep him out for a number of weeks. Henry’s place in goal was taken by the even younger Alex Walder, who has a joint registration with Fleet and Farnborough Town, and he stepped confidently into the side for his first League appearance of the season.
In difficult wet and windy conditions, The Blues started brightly and attacked with real purpose from the opening stages. Fleet moved the ball well despite the slippery surface and began to put the visitors under increasing pressure.
That positive start was rewarded in the 17th minute. Alex McAllister produced a superb stepover to beat his defender before delivering a dangerous cross into the area, where Connor Holland was on hand to apply the finishing touch and put Fleet 1-0 ahead.
The lead did not last long, however, as Camberley responded almost immediately. A corner into the Fleet penalty area wasn’t dealt with and Kai Neil-Gray managed to bundle the ball home to bring the visitors level.
Fleet quickly regained control and continued to create the better chances as the first half progressed. Sam Bartlett was particularly dangerous down the right, delivering several quality crosses into the Camberley area and giving their defence plenty to think about.
Both Danylo Hubynets and McAllister went close to restoring Fleet’s advantage before the interval, only to be denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Matt Pullinger in the Camberley goal. Despite Fleet having enjoyed the better of the opening 45 minutes, the sides therefore went into half-time level at 1-1.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Fleet pushing forward in search of the goal their attacking play deserved. Holland continued to work tirelessly in midfield, while The Blues kept probing for a way through a determined Camberley defence.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 67th minute and it was well worth the wait. Bartlett got clear of the defence and, with Pullinger advancing from his goal, showed superb composure to deftly chip the goalkeeper and put Fleet back in front.
Camberley remained in the contest and, with only one goal separating the sides, Fleet knew a third would be needed to finally make the points safe. The Blues continued to press and were eventually rewarded in the 89th minute with arguably the best move of the afternoon.
A quick break down the left saw McAllister release Ollie Burke, who surged down the wing before picking out Holland in the middle. His first effort was blocked, but he reacted quickest to the rebound and made no mistake with his second attempt, completing an excellent team goal and grabbing his second of the afternoon to make it 3-1.
So another solid and deserved victory for Fleet who, while perhaps not quite at their flowing best in difficult conditions, once again found a way to get the job done.
It was also another excellent afternoon off the pitch, with more than 400 supporters turning out despite the poor weather to create another terrific atmosphere at the Easy As HGV Stadium.
There is little time for The Blues to recover, however, as they are back in League action in less than 48 hours. Fleet make the short trip to Godalming Town on Bank Holiday Monday morning for an unusual 11.30am kick-off.
There is sure to be another big following of Blues supporters making the journey, as Fleet look to continue their excellent start and consolidate their position at the top of the table.
