(Wessex League Division 1)

Spurs enjoyed a short overseas trip on Saturday, returning to the mainland with three well-deserved points.

Spurs’ started disappointingly, giving the ball away far too easily, but gradually they established dominance, being notably quicker in the challenge than the Isle of Wight team, and with Ben Edwards dominating midfield in his first league start for the club.  As usual, Fleet squandered a number of chances, before Sam Knowles beat the keeper from an acute angle after his first shot had been saved.  A minute before the break, Dan Sleet, who formed an impressive back line with manager Neil Baker and Danny Harrison, volleyed home spectacularly after Vics had failed to clear a corner.

The second half continued with Spurs on top, and after keeper Gaz True had misjudged the bounce of the ball, most of the crowd thought Knowles had put the game out of East Cowes reach, only to be denied by a late offside flag.  Fleet tired somewhat in the last quarter, but Vics could not convert the few chances they managed to create.

Manager Baker expressed quiet satisfaction ‘With more players coming back, we’re getting there.  I’m optimistic that we’ll continue our rise up the table.  However, we’re at high-flying Whitchurch United on Saturday, and that should be a real challenge’.

Spurs Reserves knocked South Farnborough off the top of Aldershot League Senior Division when they beat them 3-1, thus maintaining their 100% league record.  In Division 1, the A team went down 1-6 to new leaders Aldershot Spartans while the Vets beat Normandy 3-1 in the Division 3 league cup.