This was probably Spurs’ worst performance since Neil Baker took over as manager at the beginning of last season, as they threw away a one-goal lead against a spirited Cowes team who, despite playing for an hour with ten men, succeeded in gaining their first league victory of the season.  To make matters worse, Baker was carried off towards the end with serious ankle ligament damage and is likely to miss a number of games.
The game started scrappily with both sides apparently preferring to pass to opponents and with Fleet abandoning their normal passing game and adopting route one tactics.  They gradually got on top and created a number of chances, but as so often their finishing left much to be desired.  However, after half an hour, Baker rose high in the Cowes box and Michael Jones made a fine save diving to his right to stop the player-manager’s goalbound header.  Unfortunately, Jones was not the goalkeeper and saw the inevitable red card.  Sam Knowles left the real keeper Christopher Norris helpless from the spot and everything seemed rosy for Spurs’ supporters.  How wrong could they be?  Five minutes later, the Fleet defence showed undue courtesy allowing Dan Ross through and the visiting striker made no mistake from close range.
The situation got still worse for Spurs in the first minute after the interval when the unmarked Darren Williams rose high at the far post to nod home a left-wing cross.  Not surprisingly with their one-man advantage, Fleet now dominated possession, but rarely looked likely to turn possession into goals, though they should have scored when Adam Crittenden beat two men and laid the ball on a plate for Luke Walsh, but the youngster only managed to hit the post.  Visiting keeper Norris then had to leave with concussion having never really recovered from a first-half knock, but his replacement Joe Winchcomb was rarely troubled.  Cowes defended gamely, showing much more desire than Spurs, and their delight when the final whistle went was understandable.
Spurs are now ninth in the league.  They have a free day next Saturday and their next league game is on Saturday 9 October when they entertain Andover New Street (Southwood: kick-off 3.00).
Team: Tom Walker, Ben Clisby, Neil Baker, Adam Paris, Dan Bailey (sub Jack Chambers 60), Luke Walsh, Ben Edwards (c), Luke Thorn, Tom Chillery (sub Dan Sleet 70), Adam Crittenden, Sam Knowles.
Spurs Reserves and the Vets each had good wins in the Aldershot League.  The Reserves had a hard-fought 2-1 win at Hale Rovers, Alex Cash scoring a late winner after fellow centre-back Kierin Arscott had given Fleet the lead.  The Vets beat league leaders Normandy Reserves 2-0 at Southwood with a goal from Roger Farmiloe and a Roy Allaway penalty.  Spurs missed a number of chances and the score certainly didn’t flatter the home team.

Saturday saw Fleet Spurs ‘A’ on the road for the first time this season with a trip to AFC Froyle.  After last weeks defeat to Shalford Fleet were looking to pick themselves up and gain some much needed points.  As kick off drew near Fleet Spurs shot stopper Mr Meakings was rocked by the news that he was not allowed to wear black socks!!  Now as a man who prides himself on his goal keeping out fit this news came as a hammer blow.  Faced with the prospect of blue socks Meako struggled to re gain his focus.  ‘Pink shirt, black shorts, white boots and blue socks…..  I don’t think so!’  Sadly though Meako’s protest fell on deaf ears and he was forced to change.  Memories of that game in Italy 90 when Gazza was booked and knew he could miss the world cup final began to surface.  With Meako close to tears Wallace looked over to the bench and cried ‘have a word with him’.  To be fair Meako was right….. blue socks didn’t work.

Spurs exited from the Vase against a Rye United team that is challenging at the top of the Sussex County League Division One, one step higher than the Wessex League Division 1.  The game was as close as the score implies, and Spurs might have gone in at the break with a healthy lead, but inaccurate finishing and slack defensive marking gave the Sussex club a let-off and once they had scored their second, Spurs rarely looked likely to get back into the game.
The game started with Fleet playing an attractive passing game and skipper Ben Edwards went close in the first couple of minutes after a good right-wing move.  However, Rye’s more direct approach was proving effective and the visitors took the lead ten minutes later.  A Spurs move down the right broke down and a quick counter-attack left Danny Leach unmarked in the six-yard area, the Rye striker making no mistake from a tight angle.  Quarter of an hour later, Sam Knowles rose highest in a crowded box to nod home an inswinging Luke Thorn corner.   Spurs shaded possession for the rest of the half, but Rye continued to look dangerous on the break.
After the interval, possession was much more equal and it was no surprise when Leach regained the lead for Rye on the hour mark with a powerful close-range shot after a long ball over the Spurs defence.  Five minutes later, Adam Crittenden and Sam Knowles were through two-on-one against Josh Pelling in the Rye goal, but Crittenden lost control at the crucial moment and a United defender cleared the danger.
Twenty minutes from the end, an off-the-ball scuffle between the opposing captains, Ben Edwards and Shaun Loft, led to each player being dismissed from the field for a second yellow card.  With Rye defending with great resolution and closing Fleet down quickly, the game petered out with the visitors maintaining their lead with a fair degree of comfort but without threatening to score again.
Although Spurs were naturally disappointed with the result, the Sussex side’s greater experience and more streetwise attitude enabled them to proceed  to the first round proper of the competition Spurs’ next game is on Saturday as they return to league action when they entertain Cowes Sports (Southwood: kick-off 3.00).
Team: Rob Bullivant, Ben Clisby, Neil Baker, Adam Paris, Luke Thorn, Jon Tanfield, George Short (sub Tom Chillery 75), Ben Edwards (c), Gavin Smith, Adam Crittenden, Sam Knowles

After last weeks performance Fleet Spurs A went into the match full of confidence against the unknown Shalford Social.  Manger Matt Thornett had put his cricket  whites in the cupboard for the winter and joined us for our second home match of the season.  Rumours had spread of our victory the previous week and a bumper crowd of well over 10 were pitch side anticipating another football master class.  They got one but unfortunately it was dished out by the away side.  The starting line up included 5 different faces from the week before and we struggled to create anything in the first half.  All the passing drills that we had worked on in training had been forgotten and we found ourselves 2 – 0 down at half time.  I could go into detail but the goals were poor from a team point of view and we spent the whole half chasing shadows and giving the ball away in key areas, enough said.  At half time we regrouped and set about trying to get back into the match.  Shortly after we kicked off it was 3 – 0 to Shalford.  Then it was 4 – 0 to Shalford.  Then its was 5 – 0 to Shalford.  With 85 mins on the clock Fleet Spurs A began to stamp their authority on the match.  As we kicked off Hammond managed to slip a ball through to Jimmy who smashed the ball across the keeper and into the net. 5 – 1…. Game on! With the clock now on 89 mins Byron picked up the ball on the left dropped his shoulder and chipped the keeper!! 5 – 2.  Shalford knew they were now in a game.  Unfortunately time was not on our side. The game finished and we got what we deserved form the match. Tw@t of the match went to the Hit man (Russell Peter Hammond).  Last seasons top scorer found himself 3 yards out with the keeper stranded at his near post.  As the cross came in Rusty rose like a salmon and headed the ball up and over the bar.  Still waiting to open that account.

Two late goals by top scorer Sam Knowles ensured that Spurs gained the victory that their overall superiority over a game Whitchurch side merited.
Fleet started brightly and Knowles headed against the woodwork twice in the first twenty minutes.  However they squandered a number of chances and Luke Stickland in the visitors’ goal made some decent saves, and the game became scrappy as the interval approached.
After the break, there was little change with both sides unable to break through, though Fleet continued to shade the possession with United threatening in their rare breaks and forcing keeper Mark Appleby into a couple of good saves.  Quarter of an hour from the end Knowles finally broke the deadlock with a fine far-post header from Phil Boddy’s cross.  Whitchurch never looked like scoring and Knowles put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time with a well-struck penalty after keeper Stickland had brought down Jon Tanfield.
Spurs are now sixth in the league.  Player-manager Neil Baker said “Overall, this was a good performance by the lads, particularly considering that we are still missing a number of players through injury.  Once everyone is fit, there will be competition for places, which is always healthy.”  Spurs’ next game is on Saturday when they entertain Rye United from the Sussex County League in the second qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Vase (Southwood: kick-off 3.00).

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 Reserves campaign in the Hants intermediate cup was all over in 90 mins against a youthful Cove side. Spurs had by far the most of the ball in the first half and created many more goal scoring chances than Cove but failed to put the ball away and 2 quick breaks from Cove lead to 2 goals. The second half was much of the same with Alex Cash & Pat Webster controlling the middle of the park and Chapman & Blowers pushing on down the flanks with great support from full backs Hopper & Kirby. Pat Drague worked the ball well in his free role upfront and Scott Eaton worked endlessly along side but to no avail. Danny Harrison, always a threat from set pieces came close twice and the defender cleared another off the line. A disappointing result but a decent performance. The Reserves are back to league action on Saturday 11^th Sept at home to Hindhead Athletic.

Harold Wilson famously said that a week is along time in politics and this game proved that the saying can apply to football as well.  Following their deserved league defeat by Petersfield on Monday, Spurs more than turned the tables with a comfortable victory in their first-ever game in the FA Vase.
The game was relatively uneventful for the first half hour, with both sides showing some neat touches but squandering a number of decent chances.  However midway through the half, a Jon Tanfield shot was deflected to the unmarked Luke Walsh, who hammered the ball home from close range.  Quarter of an hour later, Adam Crittenden doubled the lead after a shot by Sam Knowles had been charged down, and three minutes later Walsh scored the goal of the match with a powerful left-foot drive from the edge of the box that gave stand-in keeper Phil Braithwaite no chance.
After the break, Fleet appeared to descend into complacency, but with young keeper Tom Walker making a number of good saves Town were unable to take advantage until striker Callum Coker reduced the deficit, scoring for the second time in two games when he was first to the loose ball after Walker had lost the ball in an aerial challenge. Spurs retaliated with a close-range header from Sam Knowles after a bout of head tennis in the Petersfield goalmouth.  Crittenden, whose finishing had up till then been uncharacteristically profligate, scored two close-range goals in stoppage time to give a final score line that somewhat flattered Spurs.
Player-manager Neil Baker enjoyed celebrating his thirty-first birthday with a victory.  Spurs entertain Rye United of the Sussex County League in the next round of the Vase on 18 September, whilst they return to league action on Saturday when they play host to Whitchurch United (kick-off 3.00).

This was another lacklustre performance by Spurs, who got exactly what they deserved from the game – nothing.
Both sides started brightly in this noon kick-off game, trying to play attractive football and mostly keeping the ball on the ground, though Spurs were often too reliant on the long ball to big striker Sam Knowles, who lacked support from his midfield colleagues.  Petersfield looked the better side with their neat passing game, and it was no surprise when midway through the half Callum Coker gave them the lead, poking the ball into the net after a goalmouth scramble.  Ben Clisby hit the post following a corner, and winger Matt Humphrey, making his first start for the club, looked menacing but half-time arrived with Town’s one-goal lead a fair reflection of the play.
After the break, Spurs came out more brightly but rarely threatened Lloyd Patilla’s goal, and the visitors continued to look the more dangerous side.  On the hour mark, Mark Appleby made an excellent save, diving to his left to turn away a goalbound drive from Sam Maidens, and the visitors soon doubled their lead when Tony Bichard netted after the ball again went loose in front of goal.  Fleet brought on Jack Chambers, back from injury, and Jamil Olweny, and looked more threatening.  Twenty minutes from the end, Neil Baker got on the end of a Luke Thorn cross and headed in to reduce the arrears.  The lively Olweny made a good run down the left, but his shot beat both the keeper and the far post.  Spurs had a brief spell of dominance, but were unable to break through the Town rearguard again, but Petersfield soon re-asserted themselves and only a spectacular goal-line clearance from Adam Paris, another player making his first start for Fleet, kept the arrears to one goal.  The game ended with Petersfield worthy winners.
Spurs have now dropped to eighth in the table.  On Saturday, they hope to turn the tables when they meet Petersfield again, this time in the FA Vase – Spurs’ first ever game in a national competition game (kick-off 3 pm).
Team: Mark Appleby, Ben Clisby, Neil Baker, Adam Paris, Phil Boddy (c), Matt Humphrey, George Short, Chris Payne (sub Jack Chambers 70), Luke Thorn, Adam Kennedy (sub Jamil Olweny 70), Sam Knowles