Yeovil is a long way from lovely Kent and Tuesday is a working day. With that in mind, yesterday’s fixture brought the seasons first foray into NationalLeagueTV.
A reasonably good quality camera was not enough to stop a low evening sun blotting out large parts of the end Fleet were attacking. Happily, both teams seemed to have noted this fact – obliging us streamers and choosing to trade blows in the middle of the park for the majority of the first 20 minutes.
Fleet seemed to have identified their opportunity – a big outball into space on the right. Despite plenty of promise, there was little end product.
As the sun dipped below the stands, Yeovil started to knock the ball around the back nicely – exposing Fleet’s partial commitment to pressing the back line. The pressure built. And after Fleet failed to deal with a poor cross in the 24th minute, McGovern rolled the opener into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
1-0 down, then. Facing the same situation as the last two outings. What would the response be?
A string of defensive mistakes, apparently.
Fleet brought the pressure on themselves, with good recoveries from the midfield and Cousins prevented any further damage to the scoreline.
Thomas was subsequently hooked after 38 minutes, in a decision you have to hope was minor injury related – because pulling him for lacking impact would have been cruel and unusual given the severe lack of service.
Almost immediately after the change, Yeovil broke through the backline with a simple one-two. Some pinball wizardry in the box led to a second for the home side and a mountain to climb for the Fleet. 2-0.
After gathering two yellow cards for daft behaviour, the referee brought the half to a close.
Despite two negative substitutions from the hosts, they started the second period the better of the two sides – launching two promising attacks that flittered out in the Fleet area.
The 60 minute mark quickly rolled around, with Fleet still failing to register an attack in anger.
But the next three minutes brought some cohesive football, exploring wide areas well. Fleet then pegged one back after Page swept home following an error from the Yeovil keeper. 2-1.
And the pressure continued to build. Now it looked like Yeovil didn’t want to know. They couldn’t get out their own half! Another scrappy turnover in the home area led to a shot from the edge of the box – and would you know it – 2-2!! Dominic Samuel you beauty.
Now the nerves were palpable. Chances for both sides were snatched at – the score remaining tantalisingly in the balance.
As Fleet searched for the killer blow, a well won tackle launched a Yeovil counter attack. Good work from the winger peppered the away goal, and at the third time of asking the home side bagged their third. 3-2.
Our boys fought to find an opening, but despite good field territory chances of substance failed to materialise.
Full time – 3-2.
