Victory over Badshot Lea on a night full of action on and off the pitch!

Fleet Town continued their excellent start to the season with another important three points, overcoming Badshot Lea 4–2 on a strange evening at the Easy As HGV Stadium.

The Blues started the game superbly and barely allowed the visitors an opportunity to settle, racing into a two-goal lead inside the opening six minutes.

The breakthrough came after just four minutes. George Wallace stepped up to deliver an excellent free-kick which Badshot keeper Jonas Cody could only push away, and Danylo Hubynets was quickest to react, converting the rebound to give Fleet the perfect start.

Just two minutes later it was 2–0, and this time there was nothing Cody could do about it. Kevin De Barros collected the ball around 25 yards from goal and unleashed a superb strike through a crowded penalty area and into the net.

Fleet continued to dominate possession and looked in control for much of the opening half, although they were unable to turn their superiority into further goals.

Then, shortly before half-time, the evening took a bizarre turn when the floodlights flickered before failing completely.

The stoppage resulted in a delay of around 10 minutes while the problem was resolved, with the players remaining on the pitch. Initially, the referee indicated that half-time would be taken during the delay, with the remaining minute added at the end of the match. That decision was then changed, with the teams returning to complete the final minute before taking the normal half-time interval.

It meant almost half an hour had passed before the second half eventually got underway – and the extended break appeared to benefit Badshot.

The visitors started the second period strongly and deservedly reduced the deficit when substitute Blaise Gethen-Smith forced the ball home from close range.

For the first time in the evening Fleet found themselves under sustained pressure. Badshot struck the post and Harry White was called upon to produce two excellent saves as the visitors threatened to draw level.

The Blues weathered the storm, however, and restored their two-goal advantage on 62 minutes. Sam Bartlett’s initial effort was saved, but Alex MacAllister reacted quickest to the loose ball and converted to make it 3–1.

With Fleet back in control, the fourth arrived on 76 minutes. Ollie Burke produced an excellent cross from the left and Connor Holland met it emphatically to put the Blues 4–1 ahead and seemingly put the contest beyond doubt.

Badshot responded almost immediately, with Gethen-Smith grabbing his second of the evening on 78 minutes, although there appeared to be a strong suspicion of offside.

There was to be no further comeback, though, as Fleet managed the closing stages to secure a deserved 4–2 victory and another valuable three points.

It was certainly one of the stranger evenings of the season, but ultimately another excellent result for the Blues, who continue their impressive start to the campaign and remain four points clear of Knaphill at the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division South.

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