Purfleet 2 Bishop's Stortford 1

SECOND HALF COMEBACK SECURES SECOND SPOT

Unbeaten Fleet stormed into second place after coming from behind in this hard fought match.

The visitors enjoyed the opening exchanges forcing a couple of corners but without causing Fleet Keeper Alex O'Reilly any real problems. At the other end of the park Wayne Vaughan and Cliff Akurang ensured that the Stortford defenders had to concentrate all the time.

The tempo of the game was quick, which considering the hot and humid conditions were a great advert for the player's fitness. Paul Linger caused an anxious moment when his well delivered free kick in the 24th minute and saw the ball scrambled away by a defender.
It was Linger again who went close on the stroke of 30 minutes when he hit a dipping 25-yard volley, which went inches wide.

A Fleet attack broke down and the visitors counter - attack saw them break very quickly a long ball played to the far post was met by Vinnie John who just pipped Alex O'Reilly to the ball to head the visitors into a 1 - 0 lead. It was the first goal conceded by Fleet from open play so far this season. Many home fans thought there was a case for a foul on Alex.

Manager Colin McBride said afterwards, " I didn't think it was a foul on Alex, to be fair it was easy to lose sight of the ball with the sun being so low it always makes things difficult to see."

Fleet came out in a totally different mood for the second half and were soon getting more possession and playing some good high tempo football. Cliff Akurang began to get more freedom out on the right and was getting in behind his marker. Terry Bowes - who must be high in the man-of-the-match vote, began to get more of the ball and dictate things for the Fleet midfield. It was Bowes' great run down the Fleet right flank which took him beyond the full-back that allowed Paul Linger to get on the end of Terry's cross to head home to level things up.

This certainly gave Fleet the confidence and the edge to go searching for a second and you could sense this was coming. After an initial move broke down Cliff Akurang charged down an attempted clearance and will the ball running kindly for him he soon got forward and played a great lay off to Wayne Vaughan to score from close range and put Fleet in the driving seat.

Colin McBride was quite rightly delighted with the team's second half performance and was happy with the way the players applied themselves.