Purfleet 1 Aylesbury Utd 0

FLEET BREAK THEIR DUCK???

After the suffering the midweek defeat against Hitchin Town the lad's responded in the best way of all.
In six previous meetings at The Hotel the Ducks had remained unbeaten but not on this occasion.

Colin was delighted with all 14 players and their positive attitude to the game, which as it turned out, was one of the best at The Hotel this season.

From the moment the referee started the game it was clear the Fleet players were up for this game. Skipper Jamie Southon, was soon involved winning virtually every aerial battle and also making some great tackles.
Perhaps the surprise for many Fleet fans was to see former Fleet favourite - Robbie Garvey making a first team return. The tough tackling defender never put a foot wrong during the game and he did play the full 90 mins.

It was a quick start and the visitors made the most of any mistakes as they tried to impose themselves on the game. To be honest it was a pretty even affair in the opening quarter of the game but without much in the way of goalmouth action.

It was a pleasing site for all Fleet fans to see Jon Keeling taking on defenders and leaving them in his wake with his trademark 'step over'. He got behind their defence on a number of occasions and each time delivered a quality cross. It was one of these runs that gave Fleet their first goalscoring opportunity.
Jon's surging run saw him bought down on the edge of the area out on Fleets left flank. Paul Linger sent in a pinpoint cross which was met by new signing - Kris Lee at the far post to slot the ball home but any celebrations were cut short after the linesman ruled him to be offside.

The disallowed goal certainly had an effect on the lad's and they stepped up the tempo of the game and they looked to be the more likely side to score.

Just seven minutes after the disallowed goal Fleet finally broke the deadlock. This time Kris Lee turned provider. The on loan Chelmsford man was forced out wide to the edge of the area by two defenders but he turned them both to deliver a perfectly struck cross which was headed home by the inspirational Paul Linger from the 6 yard line.

In the second half Fleet continued to enjoy long spells of good possession and Cliff Akurang was unlucky not to score after the excellent Lee Allen delivered yet another quality cross to Cliff who's headed went agonisingly inches over the bar.

The visitors did mount one or two decent attacks, which served as a reminder that the game was far from won. Alex O'Reilly who was rarely called upon made a couple of saves to deny the visitors a share of the points. Richard Horner went the closest with a superb header, which went just wide of the post.

Sadly Greg Williams fell awkwardly and injured his back and the Aylesbury man was stretched off.
The delay of 11 minutes made for a nail-biting end to the game.

Substitute - Terry Bowes almost scored a second for Fleet but was foiled by Chris Day in the Ducks' goal.

The extra 11 minutes of stoppage time saw the visitors try to score a last gasp equaliser but the Fleet defenders stood rock solid.

It was one of those games that every player played a significant part and made a contribution to a great performance for the Fleet.