Fleet Spurs 1 Tadley Calleva 0 (Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division 1)

Experts say that at the highest level, there’s a magic about evening games that transcends anything seen in daylight. Experience shows that this axiom doesn’t apply at Wessex League level, and tonight’s game was no exception. After a promising start, the game got worse as the evening got colder, and both sets of supporters were glad to get back to the warmth of home. Spurs’ fans were the happier as they had gained the three points that they deserved on the day.

Pewsey Vale 1 Fleet Spurs 1 (Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division 1)

This was the second consecutive draw for Spurs. The game was disappointing, with both sides guilty of giving the ball away too frequently. Overall, the result was fair, as neither team was capable of doing enough to deserve victory on the day.

At the start of the game, Spurs had more of the possession, and Vale’s opening goal came from out of the blue after quarter of an hour when Jack Hopper shot from more 35 yards and keeper Ryan Bone could only watch as the ball dipped just under the bar. Neither side created many other chances before half term, though ten minutes before half-time home keeper Louie La Touche had to be alert to turn a goal-bound Sam Cobbett drive over the bar.

Fleet Spurs 0 East Cowes Victoria 0 (Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division 1)

This was a frustrating game with defences on top throughout and the quality of play marred by a blustery wind. Overall a draw was a fair result, though Spurs had the clearer chances.

The first chance of the game came from an Adam Aimable long throws which Fleet skipper Chris Musgrove headed against the inside of the post, the ball rebounding to safety. The first half was very competitive, with each side closing the other down well and preventing and neither side having the spark to create clear-cut scoring opportunities.

Fleet Spurs 5 Hythe & Dibden 2 (Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division 1)

Spurs continued their successful 2012 with a comfortable victory against Hythe & Dibden. This was particularly pleasing, as they had already suffered two heavy defeats this season at their visitors’ Solent-side ground.

Andover New Street 1 Fleet Spurs 2 (Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division 1)

Spurs made a bright start to 2012 as they gained a well merited victory at Andover New Street.

Andover started strongly, retaining the ball much better than Fleet, and it was no surprise when they took the lead midway through the half with a well-taken lob from George Dallarda. However, the visitors gradually improved and ten minutes later scored a deserved equaliser when Mindy Kuodys headed a free-kick across the goal and Dave Richards placed his header into the corner of the net. Following this goal, Spurs’ confidence rose, but half time came with no addition to the score, which was a fair reflection of the play.

Verwood Town 1 Fleet Spurs 0 (Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division 1)

This was another battling performance by Spurs, but this week there was no happy ending, as a hard-fought victory for Verwood enabled the Dorset side to climb to the top of the league table.

Fleet Spurs 1 Brockenhurst 1 (Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division 1)

This was another brave performance by Spurs, which this week had a happy ending for them as they gained a point against leaders Brockenhurst with a stoppage time equaliser.

Just as happened last week at Team Solent, the first half never really took off with both sides giving the ball away easily and with little coherence in the play of either side. Neither goalkeeper was really troubled during a half which produced few if any memorable moments, and the ball spent far too much time at treetop height.

Team Solent 2 Fleet Spurs 1 (Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division 1)

This was a brave backs-to-the wall performance by Spurs in which they narrowly failed to earn a point at windy Test Park against the students of Team Solent.

The first half never really took off with both sides giving the ball away easily and with little coherence in the play of either side. Solent had more possession but created very few real chances, the best being when a Fleet defender deflected a close-range shot for a corner via the crossbar. Spurs only made one real chance when Dave Richards headed a Chris Musgrove cross from the right wing narrowly past the post.

Hythe & Dibden 4 Fleet Spurs 1 (Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division 1)

Spurs never recovered from a lacklustre first-half performance and eventually succumbed to a Hythe side that throughout were physically stronger and quicker to close down their opponents. Fleet can take some consolation because they are a young side who are showing signs of development and because their heads never dropped.

They say a week is a long time in football. They say no two games are the same. They say anyone can play up front. ‘They’ say a lot of things but are not always right. After last week’s 6-2 victory vs. Farnham United confidence was high, and rightly so. All the signs were there Meako was back in the squad; Capon was back in the squad, Newton had a new haircut and Wallace had bought two packets of wine gums for a £1.00.