(Wessex League Division 1)

The game started brightly with half-chances at both ends, but Spurs gradually got on top with slick passing and good movement off the ball, though the Wiltshire side were threatening on their occasional breaks. After half an hour, Fleet capitalised on their superiority when top scorer Adam Crittenden ran on to a well-placed through ball from fellow-striker Sam Knowles and lobbed Paddy Rynne in the Downton goal. Just as it looked as if Spurs would go into the interval with a well-deserved lead, a long ball over the top caught the Fleet defence out of position and Kevin Thick made no mistake in beating Mark Appleby to equalise. After the break, the game was even in the opening minutes. However, the visitors did not help themselves by giving the ball away too easily, and Downton became increasingly threatening. It was no surprise when on the hour mark left-back Ben Halski found himself unmarked with only Appleby to beat after a good move down the left wing, and gave the Wiltshire side the lead. Quarter of an hour from the end, another left-wing move involving Downton striker Declan McGregor saw Thick unmarked in front of goal and he put the result beyond doubt. Spurs were becoming frustrated and began to lose discipline and just before the end Crittenden was sent off for a second yellow card. Overall, Downton thoroughly merited their victory, and the inexperience of the Spurs side showed in their inability to maintain the standard of their play in the first half. Spurs have now fallen to 9th in the league, though in a very tight league they are still in touch with all the sides above them except runaway leaders Fawley. They expect to welcome back player-manager Neil Baker and regular skipper Ben Edwards for the game against Verwood Town on Saturday at Southwood (kick-off 3.00) when they hope to end their two-match losing streak.