After a tough pre season (first time the A’s have trained ever!) Fleet Spurs A’s first game of the season took place on Saturday.  The opposition were local rivals Letef & after they beat us 3 times last season Spurs went into the match hoping for a win & a good performance.  With a squad bigger than the population of some small countries Spurs were able to name a squad of 16 for the game.  The squad included 6 new faces as well as some old ugly ones.  With new gaffer Matt ‘multi sports’ Thornett away on Cricket duty it was left to Wallace to balance the difficult task of player & manager.  Alex Nicolle, who is recovering from knee surgery, agreed to be the eyes in the stand & we went into the match with high hopes.  Fleet started well keeping the ball & on more than one occasion managed to string over 3 consecutive passes together (records are there to be broken!).  Fleet dominated the first 30 mins possession wise but struggled with that final ball and as a result did not create any clear cut chances.  Letef had a few half chances but some excellent last ditch tackles kept the score at 0 – 0.  Then up steps Tom Steiner….  A goal kick by the Letef keeper was powerfully headed forward by Alex Gammon & Tom Steiner was away…  He calmly rounded the keeper with minimal fuss & then had to negotiate an open goal.  Now in normal circumstances you would put a few quid on Tom hitting the back of the net but this time it was on his RIGHT foot.  Usually used for standing on this was the first time in a long time that it had been called into action. Thankfully it did not let him down and he stroked the ball into the open goal!  1 – 0 Spurs.  Spurs then rattled the bar after a good passing move and things were looking good.  Then we switched off.  A routine Letef throw on was not dealt with and was flicked on into the path of the Letef number 8 who ran in un marked to head pass Meako. Letef then got into the game & a long range effort gave Meako the chance to impress the crowd with a full stretch double handed save high to his left hand side.  Replays showed that the Aldershot born shot stopper took two steps to his right before flinging himself to his left.  Text book camera save.  Fleet then picked up again & a good move down the right saw Ben McMahon play Jimmy in & his low cross was stepped over by G leaving Wallace with a chance to make up for his mistake (Number 8 was his man) sadly the pressure of player manager was all to much and the ball was launched into the car park.  Half Time. 1 – 1.

The second half strangely enough belonged to one man.  That man was David ‘Goof’ Baker.  Before the game he was named as left back & was disgusted by this.  Cries of ‘I am not left footed’ & ‘I use to be a forward’ were heard and were only stopped when told ‘I want you to push on & get forward’ Suddenly that frown was turned upside down & we had ourselves a happy Goof!  Letef dominated the first 15 mins as Fleet worked hard to regain possession but struggled to get any efforts on goal.  Changes were made and Capon came on for Melv, Loz came on for Ankers & McGhie came on for Gammon.  With a quick reshuffle at the back Fleet began to take charge of the match.  Or should we say Goof began to take charge!  A free kick wide on the left saw Goof jog over with one thing in his mind.  The ref put his hand up to signal an indirect free kick but not even that could change Goof’s mind.  He was shooting & that was that.  The ball was whipped in under the cross bar & the Letef defender & Keeper helped the ball into the net! 2 – 1 Spurs!  Fleet then continued to keep the ball well & created chances.  Letef always looked good on the break so we had to be switched on.  Then the unthinkable happened….  A corner on the right hand side was whipped in by Capon & Goof cries ‘GOOOOOOF’S’ rises like a tin of tuna & heads the ball into the top left hand corner of the net!  Breathtaking.  What a player!!  3 – 1 Spurs! With the game won Fleet kept possession & looked for a fourth but some good saves from the Letef keeper kept the score at 3 – 1.  Then Graham steps up & earns himself the Tw@t of the match shirt.  After complaining of being fouled the ref warned Mr Friel on several occasions he should be quiet or will go in the book.  This did not stop G-Train as he continued to answer back.  A quick flash of yellow saw his name taken.  As the treasurer of the club G is well aware of the cost of a booking in financial terms as well as the effect in can have on team morale.  Saying that though G wore the shirt with pride in the pub after & was rumoured to be spotted wearing it out on the tiles later that evening with some beige chino’s and open toed sandals.
Overall a great result for the team.  It’s probably the first time we have won the first game of the season & the work rate, attitude of the whole squad as well as the football we played was excellent.  So far so good lads lets keep it up!

 MOM – Goof

Team: Meako, McMahon, Gammon (Mcghie), Ankers (Gibson), Baker, Friel, Jones (Capon), Steiner, Wallace, Selfe, Hammond.  Subs not used: Gardiner, Morton.