Purfleet 6 Chesham Utd 0

BOWES TIES UP A SIX - GOAL THRILLER

If ever a result was coming, this one surely was. One could be forgiven for showing a certain amount of sympathy towards Chesham who found themselves mere bit players as Purfleet showed their full repertoire of attacking flair and defensive stability in an exhilarating 90 minutes.

This six-goal demolition sent the Fleet to the top of the league over St. Albans on goal difference.

The game was only 8 mins old when the inspirational Jon Keeling sent in a well delivered cross after being sent clear by the classy Paul Linger. Kris Lee beat his marker to score at the far post.

The ball rarely found its way into the Fleet half and on those odd occasions when it did the defence stood firm notably Mark Goodfellow who for many was man of the match. Considering the display by all 14 players on the day, this goes some way too telling how well he played.

Just before half time it was that man Keeling who scored Fleet's second. Jamie Southon made an important challenge inside his own half his quick pass saw Terry Bowes run fully 20 yards down Fleets right hand side before playing a neat square ball into the path of Jon Keeling who rifled the ball home to send Fleet into a half time lead of 2 - 0.

The restart saw Fleet start to play the ball around and look for an opening, which wasn't long in coming. As the 50th minute ticked by, great ball played across from left to right found the excellent Craig Edwards who's great first touch took him beyond a defender into the box to smash the ball home for Fleet's third and his first for the Club.

To their credit the visitors kept going but one could sense that something special was about to happen. Put simply the Fleet players - all 14 of them put on a show, which was a privilege to watch.

If we all thought that Jon Keeling's goal in the first half was good their was almost a repeat for Fleet's 4th
Coming in the 64th minute.
Craig Edwards this time turned provider and played a ball in behind the defence for Terry Bowes to surge down the left-hand side and again he delivered the perfect cross this time for Kris Lee to score from close range.

The visitors continued to play the ball about but never found a way through the Fleet defences. Just like Jon Keeling recently, another former Fleet player returned, Gary Howard. He played his usual solid game linking well with Paul Linger, Jamie Southon and Jon Keeling. Dean Chandler and John Purdie were outstanding in the heart of the defence along with the already mentioned Mark Goodfellow.

It was Terry Bowes who capped the day with two late goals. The Chesham players must have cursed their luck when a rare attack broke down as the ball was comfortably gathered by the superb Alex O'Reilly. His instant long kick upfield was collected by Bowes who set of on a run that took him beyond the advancing Preddie in the Chesham goal, to pass the ball into the net for a 5th in the 77th minute.

Still the team kept going and Lee Allen, who had earlier replaced Jamie Southon, played a peach of a ball to Jon Keeling who beat a man to send Terry Bowes on his way again to score Fleets 6th and his second on 89 minutes.

The only downside was the first half injury to Cliff Akurang, but Terry Bowes came on and made an impact just as the team has now done in the League.

For those watching it was a real pleasure to see a great team performance and to savor the moment.
One thing you can be assured about is that the players, management and committee alike have their feet firmly on the floor. Manager of the month - forgone conclusion - well done Colin.