Fleet Spurs suffered their second successive defeat when they went down at Verwood Town, who now sit proudly on top of the league with 7 points from 3 games.  Both sides created and missed chances in the opening quarter, but Charles Elysee, the smallest player on the field, gave Verwood the lead with a well-placed header from a right-wing cross.  The Spurs defence were to blame, having left Elysee unmarked.  Spurs soon equalised when defender Dean Evans headed a fine cross from Luke Walsh powerfully past his own keeper.   Five minutes later, the persistence of Ben Woozley, playing in an unaccustomed centre-back role because of injuries in the Spurs squad, gained its reward as he fired powerfully home at the third attempt.  At the break, Spurs deserved their narrow lead.

However, the second half was a different story, as Spurs never got into their stride.  After five minutes the champ Elysee notched his second when he lobbed the helpless keeper Ben Meakings with what was probably intended as a cross, and shortly afterwards, centre-back Chris Lynch scored what proved to be the winning goal after more slackness in the visitors’ defence.  Verwood might have extended their lead, but they squandered a number of good chances.  To Spurs’ credit they fought valiantly right up to the final whistle, but never looked likely to score.

Spurs’ boss Neil Baker said: “It was very disappointing to lose after such a promising first half.  However, we’re still missing a number of players through injury, and I’m looking for a considerable improvement on the second-half performance in our next couple of games.”

Spurs entertain Tadley Calleva at Southwood on Wednesday (kick-off 7.45) and then Downton on Saturday (kick-off 3.00).

Again they will be without Ben Edwards who is likely to be out for up to 6 weeks with an ankle injury, and Michael Watson, although the latter should be available for Wednesday’s game against Tadley.

They will also more than likely be without influential skipper Stuart Tanfield, who sustained an ankle injury in the defeat on Saturday, and looks like he could be on the sidelines for a couple of weeks, and with a late fitness test for player manager Neil Baker, the Spurs side could be stretched. On a plus side the Spurs are hoping to add playmaker Tom Chillery to the squad after the local lad missed the whole pre season campaign due to a groin injury.
Verwood started the season with a 1-0 away victory at AFC Porchester, so will no doubt prove a tough test for Baker’s boys.