(Wessex League Division 1)

Spurs extended their unbeaten run to thirteen games – 35 points out of 39 – but truth to tell, this was an uninspiring performance.  Midweek games on cold winter evenings seldom prove to be classics, and this was no exception, perhaps partially because it was Spurs’ third game in six days following a lengthy and unplanned mid-season break.

Spurs immediately seized the initiative, but a mixture of determined defending by the visitors – a feature of the game right to the final whistle – and awful finishing by Spurs kept the scoresheet blank until the inevitable sucker punch.  After Whitchurch had looked dangerous in their few attacks, striker Ali Brown was left with a simple tap-in.  If the score was against the run of the play, Spurs had only themselves to blame after slackness at both ends.  Spurs continued to dominate possession with skipper Ben Edwards controlling midfield, but Whitchurch kept them out without too much difficulty and the half ended with Fleet looking increasingly ragged.

The second half continued in much the same vein with resolute defence by the visitors keeping Fleet at bay.  However, mid-way through the half, just when it looked as if Spurs’ endeavours were to be in vain, striker Adam Crittenden equalised with a low shot after Whitchurch had failed to clear a Stuart Tanfield corner.  Five minutes later, Crittenden made no mistake from the spot after a foul in the box.  There was still time for Spurs to create – and miss – a number of presentable chances.  In the last few minutes of the game, the visitors staged a grandstand finish, and indeed thought they had grabbed a barely-deserved point in stoppage time only for the ‘goal’ to be chalked off after an offside flag.

The result was the best part of the evening for Spurs, particularly as influential defender and player manager Neil Baker had to be carried off in the second half with ankle ligament damage, and is likely to be out for a few weeks.

Fleet are now in third position, their highest ever at this level, though there is a chasing pack of six clubs within two points of them.