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Whyteleafe took all three points from this game and gain revenge for the recent home defeat to the same side and climb above Merstham and Eastbourne in the table as they continue to get close to safety. One more win in the remaining eight fixtures should be enough to assure football in this league for next season.
The match started brightly, with Fleet getting the first good chance in the fourth minute when Darren Wheeler made a good run and shot just wide of the target. 'Leafe however took an early lead a minute later. Keeper Lyall Beazley came out to clear, but found himself outside the box and unable to use his hands. The ball fell to Mesach Smith who had a dream start on his debut when he struck the ball into the unguarded net.
Fleet had the advantage of the slope but had to wait until the 25th minute before they had another good chance. Mark Anderson sent Wes Harrison clear but Michael Lidbury was quickly out to claim the ball at the feet of Harrison. In the 28th minute a Chris O'Flaherty corner was headed over by Dean Gunner.
Lidbury made a fine save in the 29th minute when Anderson shot on the turn from a Lee Riddell cross. The veteran keeper then made another good save from Harrison as Fleet had their best spell of the game.
Smith had strong claims for a free kick on the edge of the box when he was brought down waved away in the 41st minute then a minute later Beazley did well to block a close range effort from O'Flaherty. A minute later Fabian Batchelor broke clear but Beazley did well to come out and clear the danger.
Fleet scored an equaliser a minute from half time. An attempted clearance went wide to the edge of the box where Michael Murphy was on hand to hit a fine shot across the goal into the far corner.
Fleet went on the attack early in the second half with Ashley Groombridge going close in the 47th minute. But 'eafe then went on to dominate the rest of the match with the Fleet players losing their discipline and a number of rash challenges and frequent dissent resulted in numerous yellow cards. Groombridge was one of those players and was wisely substituted as he had lost control and on the verge of a red card.
Dan Aldous tried his luck from 30 yards in the 55th minute but his shot was far too high. In the 59th minute, Fred Fleming's header from a Gunner free kick was deflected for a corner. O'Flaherty took it and Gunner headed over the bar. Alec Brown also tried a 30 yarder in the 65th minute which was on target but saved by Beazley.
'Leafe retook the lead in the 71st minute. A cross from Batchelor just eluded Ryan Thomas in the box but fell to Kwabena Agyei at the far post who controlled the ball then shot into the net.
The visitors were now well on top. Thomas sent Lee Stripp clear in the 73rd minute but his shot was straight at the keeper. Three minutes later Batchelor was clean through but brought down. O'Flaherty was unlucky not to extend the lead when his curling free kick struck the post and rebounded to safety. In the 84th minute a long clearance from Lidbury found Bentley Graham. He chipped the ball over the defence for Thomas to run on to, but Beazley made a great save from his shot.
In the 90th minute the inevitable happened and another bad challenge by Lee Rumbold resulted in a second yellow card and he was sent off.
In stoppage time Wheeler had a great chance to equalise but shot wide from close range. Even after the final whistle the Fleet players continued to abuse the referee and Jonnie Dyer was rewarded for his contribution by another red card.
Whyteleafe: Lidbury, Aldous, Gunner, Fleming, Laud Anderson, Stripp, Batchelor, Brown (Graham 83), Agyei, Smith (Thomas 53), O'Flaherty.