But Spurs were rubbish in the heat of the first half and lucky to go in 1 – 0 up against the poor Shalford. A half time rollocking by Allaway, mostly at himself, seemed to work and the boys started banging them in.

There were great performances all over the park and despite missing a couple of early chances, Macca was voted Man of the Match with 7 votes. Macca never seems to leave the dressing room without a trophy, but said goodbye to Vets Monkey after Ali fell down ditch and rightfully claimed it. Votes were also given to Filks, Ali and Dan Gardiner who had his Dad’s boots from last week and slotted in his first goal for the club.

(Wessex League Division 1)

A disappointing game for Spurs.  In the first half, both sides created chances, which they could not convert.  However, just as it looked as if the half would finish goalless, a slick right-wing move by Andover and poor tackling at the centre of the Spurs defence left Nic Turpin clear on goal.  The striker unselfishly passed to skipper Vince Rusher who made no mistake, though there was a suspicion of offside.

Spurs first team did not play.  Their arranged game at AFC Portchester was postponed because in the opinion of the match referee, the goalposts did not meet the requirements necessary for the game to start.

Spurs Reserves had a hard-fought 2-1 win over Hale Rovers in the Aldershot League Senior Division.  The visitors scored first, but Spurs were ahead by the break with goals by Martin Ball and Ross Blowers.  Although Hale had a number of good chances to equalise or even win, they spurned them all and there was no further scoring.

VETS GO SECOND
… only separated by goal difference!

Fleet Spurs welcomed Warminster to Kennels Lane on Saturday on another hot day looking to follow on from their impressive 4-0 victory at Aldermaston.
They started the game with a few enforced changes from the Aldermaston game, with Martin Bickley ill, and Wayne Roberts unavailable, but this allowed Michael Watson and Matt Voyce back into the fold, and with new signings Gavin Taylor and Luke Thorn available to pack the midfield out.
Spurs started with the same 4 5 1 formation, something which looks like it will give Fleet a solid foundation to build on.

Great day all round for the mighty Vets. The game turned early on. After soaking up some pressure and some terrible finishing from the oppo, somehow their gobby no.6 managed to make contact with Rob Kerr’s miniscule legs. Penalty. Filks. Miss. It was the best thing that could have happened and soon after Filks blasted home to make up. Then came zealous overcelebrating, we were worried he was going to burst a vein in his head, imagine what the veins downstairs were doing. It was 2 – 0 after Snapper pounced on a fumble from the keeper and then thanked Allaway for making himself big to put him off. At 2 – 0 Wrecclesham playing their first game this season, constantly threatened but in truth we were all more at risk from Paul Daniels or whatever the refs name was – he loved his cards. Robb Kerr picked up a yellow and they went in the book 3 times, once for saying “oh your kidding”. But Spurs put pressure on as well and Filks “shot” from 30 yards that had the corner flag trembling wins him this weeks’ Vets Monkey award. Wrecclesham had a free kick which they earnt after Scissors fouled Macca, but they couldn’t score; and after Allaway shouted at Gardiner to put him off, the ball rolled clear and he made it 3 – 0 from 2 goal hanging yards.

The poor start to the season continued for Fleet Spurs A as we were beaten 3-1 by local rivals Letef.  From the off, it was clear that many of the Fleet players didn’t fancy running around in the heat.  Meaningful challenges were few and far between, opposing players were not shut down and were given space to do what they fancied with the ball which luckily, most of the time, wasn’t too damaging.  Stringing two consecutive passes together proved tricky but Fleet did manage to create the better chances in the first half, however, true to form, the forwards gloriously spurned everything that came their way.

A new dawn, new management, new captain but same old slow start for the Vets. But it should have been different. An early mazey run by Allaway (lost control of the ball) resulted in a penalty perfectly slotted away by newly appointed vice captain (or after last seasons photo revelations, “captain of vice”); Paul Filkins. The oppo were young and rubbish; early contenders to finish bottom of the league. They were susceptible to the long ball and Mark Gardiner beat a man before skillfully slotting the ball past the keeper to make it 2-1. At half-time the Vets tried to focus on smashing our world record number of passes. 3. It was very late in the game when our dream was achieved; a superb move ended up with the new record set. 4. Despite their equaliser that changed direction 8 times as it flew through the air; the Vets sensed victory and piled on the pressure only for Frogmore to be gifted the winner. A more clinical header you won’t see all season. Unfortunately it was by Macca; who becomes the first “Vets Monkey”, not so much for the OG but more for the comment “I couldn’t reach it; my legs are too short”. New captain Scissors was gutted as he tried everything to be the first winner of the weekly ‘wooden spoon’ he passed a free kick directly to one of their players then pretended he hadn’t taken it, threatened their right back who then complained; “Your bald captained just threatened me and I think he meant it” he said. And finally gifting a ridiculous hand ball near the final whistle from which they hit the woodwork (again).

(Aldershot League Division 1)

In a traditionally poor start to the season, Fleet Spurs A went down 3-2 to Eversley A at Southwood.  A sloppy first half performance saw Fleet go in at half time 2-1 down, with David Love scoring an exquisite chip into the top right corner for Fleet.  A rousing half-time team talk from stand-in gaffer Winno inspired Fleet to make a battling start to the second half, which unsettled Eversley – Russ Hammond scoring a scrambled equaliser after confusion amongst the Eversley defence. Eversley grabbed a late winner, the Fleet defence giving their forward time to turn on the edge of the box, do the fandango and slowly roll the ball into the corner of the net.

(after extra time) (Hampshire Saturday Intermediate Cup round 1)

Played well in first half had a few chances as did they.  Came out second half played well then gave away a sloppy goal not closing down the player quick enough.  Within 5 min we were back on terms good free kick hit firmly past the keeper by Stephen Thurlby.  Pushed on a bit after that but we had to go into extra time.

After about 8 or 9 mins Ross Blowers had a chance 1 on 1 with the keeper slotted in at the second attempt.  Scored again 2 or 3 mins later kept them out quite comfortably and got a deserved win.