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Fleet Town 1 Whyteleafe 0
Sat 25th October 2008
Ryman League Division One South
It was the home side who took the points with a classic counter-attack goal in the 58th minute, however it was visiting 'Leafe who played the better football and Stuart Massey's team deserved at least a draw based on possession and creativity.
'Leafe kicked off facing up quite possibly the sleepest slope in football and it was debutant Sol Patterson-Bohner who had the first shot after Asher Hudson had cleverly headed a Steve MacNamara corner back across the area, but the ball span wide. The visitors continued to press forward with Ronnie Green down the right and Nicky Greene on the left tormenting both full-backs.
Against the run of play in the 24th minute Fleet's Nathan Smart hit a 25 yard screamer, brilliantly pushed over his bar by keeper Rob Tolfrey. 'Leafe continued to possess and press forward, but with little end product as a well marshalled Fleet defence stood firm.
Just after the half hour a Paul Scott cross fizzed across the fleet goalmouth to be met by Ronnie Green whose shot was well gathered by keeper David Smalley. Shortly after MacNamara tried a speculative lob from 30 yards, caught by Smalley in his 6 yard box.
After the break the hosts were playing down hill and used this to their great advantage. As their midfield looked up keeper Smalley was lumping the ball 70 yards down the pitch at every opportunity. Mark Anderson fired a fierce shot on 47 minutes, well taken by the alert Tolfrey.
Soon after Whyteleafe had their best chance of the game, a fierce MacNamara free-kick, awarded for yet another foul on Paul Scott, was turned around his post by the impressive Smalley.
The solitary goal came in the 57th minute when forward Nathan Smart latched on to another speculative punt and passed the ball left to the unmarked James Field. His first shot was superbly blocked by Tolfrey, but Field fired the rebound into the empty net. Fleet continued their bombardment with Smart chipping the advancing Tolfrey but seeing his shot go just wide of the post. In the 65th minute Mark Anderson headed from distance only to rattle Tolfrey's bar.
The final quarter belonged to Whyteleafe once again; however possession and width could not be turned into a goal as the Fleet defence held out for a narrow victory.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Hudson, MacNamara, Reeve, Kabongo, Goodchild, Green (Gibbs 78), Patterson-Bohner, McKenzie (Murray-Price 86), Scott, Greene. Subs not used: Massey, King.
NB. click on thumbnail for full size picture
Nicky Greene |
Steve McNamara |
Denva McKenzie |
Rob Tolfrey and |
Fleet person |
Ali inspects |
Voice |
Mick Monkey |
Cedric Kabongo |
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