(Russell Cotes Cup)

Another nail-biting cup-tie for Fleet Spurs, very similar to the Farnborough NE game a fortnight ago.  Even the score was the same, as were the conditions – wet pitch and intermittent rain.

The first half was relatively uneventful with both sides making too many mistakes.  Spurs were slightly on top, but missed several chances, notably when Sam Knowles blasted past the post when it seemed easier to score.  However, the big striker redeemed himself after the break, scoring from the spot with a coolly-taken shot to the keeper’s right after Jack Chambers had been brought down.  Spurs threatened to score again, but slack defensive marking from a Hythe corner enabled substitute striker John Mulhern to equalise with a powerful header just under the bar.  In the last few minutes, Hythe twice hit the woodwork and Spurs were hanging on at the end.

Spurs regained the initiative in extra time and took the lead with another goal from a substitute, Matt Trundle, who hammered the ball home after a goalmouth scramble.  Spurs had chances to put the result beyond doubt, but after the break Terry Cox made the scores level with a low shot following a poor defensive clearance.  It looked as if the game was going to go to penalties, but skipper Dan Fox withstood a weak challenge from a tired Spurs defender and fired home a low powerful shot.  There was still time for Tom Chillery to hit the Hythe post with a curling free kick, but it was the visitors who can look forward to a trip to Brockenhurst in the New Forest – almost a local derby for them, though it would have been a marathon for Spurs.

A disappointing result for Spurs, though there is some excuse in that they had eight first-choice players unavailable.

Unhappy Spurs boss Neil Baker said: “Once we’d gone 2-1 up, we should have been able to close the game out, but we couldn’t.  However, we’re a young side, and the experience will in the long run be good for a number of our younger players.  I’m confident that we can turn the tables when we entertain Hythe in the league on Saturday.”