Fleet sunk by Palace

A hugely enjoyable game at Hillside sees The Whites claim the points

A colder than expected morning greeted us at Hillside for our penultimate home game of the season where we welcomed our old friends, Fleet Town Reds.

A delayed start meant that both teams had the opportunity to carry out comprehensive warms ups but once we got underway there was some good football played by both sides.

Fleet took an early lead in the 8th minute when the Fleet striker put away a good shot to make it 0:1.

But The Whites got back into the game when Lara unleashed a powerful shot which went in off the post to draw level.
Both teams had chances to edge in front but the score remained 1:1 at half time.

The second half saw both teams probably play the most exciting football that we have seen this season.

Ella was a late first half substitute and was really playing some excellent football on the wing. It was following one of her searing runs that resulted in a shot from far outside the penalty box that gave the Whites the lead, it was a spectacular effort.

Fleet were unlucky not to get an immediate equaliser – they managed to hit the woodwork three times in as many minutes but the ball would not find the net.

Palace played some of their best football of the season at this stage of the game, intricate football being played all over the pitch.
But a passage of play followed, starting with a Fleet equaliser to make it 2:2 in the 62nd minute, which will stick in the memory for a long time.

Two minutes after Fleet had scored, Lara unleashed a typically powerful shot to make it 3:2.

But Fleet weren’t beaten: another equaliser in the 66th minute to make it 3:3.

But now it was Palace’s turn – Lara again to make it 4:3 two minutes later.

There was time for another Fleet attack which resulted in a corner for them. But Palace held on and defended excellently and so the game finished with Palace the victors.

Manager John Leitch said afterwards:

‘All of our games against Fleet have been very enjoyable and this one was no different.
We knew that Fleet would never give up, and they didn’t, well done to them for making it such a great game.
We played some really good football in the second half and the whole team played their part.
We now have another tough game against Ascot next week, it will be another tough test, but hopefully we can continue playing some great football.’