Danylo Double Keeps The Blues Flying High

Fleet Town 2–1 Virginia Water. A goal in each half from Danylo Hubynets gave the Blues a hard-fought but deserved victory over fourth-placed Virginia Water, as Fleet maintained their four-point lead at the top of the table.

Before kick-off, a minute’s applause was observed to celebrate the life of Alan Taylor, the hugely popular Farnborough and Bracknell local football legend who sadly passed away this week.

Fleet started strongly and took the lead after just nine minutes. Some excellent work from Ollie Burke created the opportunity, with Danylo Hubynets finishing confidently to put the Blues ahead.

We continued to dominate and had two very good chances to extend our lead before the game began to open up. Virginia Water showed exactly why they have been in such excellent form recently, putting together several dangerous moves, many involving the impressive Kingsley Etefia.

It was Etefia who helped bring the visitors level just before half-time, with his shot taking a deflection that wrong-footed Harry White and found its way into the Fleet net.

The Blues came out strongly again after the break and were back in front within four minutes. Once again it was Hubenet, bursting into the penalty area before beating Virginia Water goalkeeper Matthew Jones with a lovely finish for his second of the afternoon.

Fleet pushed hard for a third and forced a succession of corners. From one of those, Liam Gavin suffered a nasty head injury which resulted in a lengthy stoppage while he received treatment and underwent a concussion check. Liam bravely tried to continue but was eventually forced to leave the field.

The incident seemed to take some of the rhythm out of the game, with frustrations also beginning to grow over a number of refereeing decisions. Substitute George Wallace was sent to the Sin Bin for disputing one of those decisions, leaving Fleet to negotiate a difficult ten-minute spell with ten men.

As the game entered its closing stages, Virginia Water pushed hard for an equaliser and came agonisingly close in the 88th minute. Lewis Flatman’s fierce effort beat White but crashed back off the underside of the crossbar.

There were further opportunities at both ends before the final whistle, but Fleet held firm to secure another important and deserved three points.

Our fantastic winning run continues and the Blues remain four points clear at the top of the league. This was a real test, however, against an excellent Virginia Water side who many observers felt were the strongest team Fleet have faced so far this season.

There is no midweek fixture this week, before we return to the Easy As HGV Stadium next Saturday when Rusthall are the visitors in the FA Vase.

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