Michael Thalassitis' neat finish
cancelled out a brilliant Chris Shephard strike to give the Fleet a
second draw of the season.
Shephard's strike from outside the area
set the hosts in good stead, but Billy Bricknell's deflected effort
fell into Thalassitis' path, who made no mistake as his struck it
past the keeper.
The Fleet made two changes to the side
that lost at Dover midweek, with Stacy Long dropping to the bench in
place of Billy Bricknell and Dean Rance replacing the injured Michael
Corcoran.
Despite the torrential rain that had
occurred, the Priory Lane pitch held up pretty well and it was the
hosts with the first chance as Simon Johnson got in behind the Fleet
defence only to hit over the bar.
The hosts did take the lead soon after.
With 14 minutes on the clock, a pass from Daniel Lok found Shephard
in lost of space and his effort from 25 yards sailed past Preston
Edwards and into the net. A fine goal and the home fans were
believing they could continue their brilliant start to the season.
The hosts almost doubled their
advantage but Matt Aldred's overhead kick went wide of the goal.
The Fleet were level on 24 minutes,
when the ball fell to Bricknell on the edge of the area. His effort
was deflected into the pass of Thalassitis, who guided the ball into
the bottom corner. The goal should have boosted the Fleet, but it
didn't.
Daryl McMahon was lucky to be on the
field as he fouled Shephard when already on a yellow, and former
Fleet defender Ian Simpemba crashed a header against the bar on the
stroke of half-time.
The Fleet could count themselves lucky
to be level at half-time and still have 11 men on the pitch, but they
came out in the second half looking for their first victory of the
season.
The best chance of the half fell to
Bricknell, who rounded the keeper and hit the side netting from a
very tight angle, although it would have been better to slot the ball
across to Anthony Cook or Thalassitis. Alex Osborn came on for his
first competitive appearance in Fleet red soon after, as he replaced
the former Dover striker.
Dominic Green had an effort which went
wide, before a delightful through ball set Rance in, who went down
under the challenge of Adam Watts. No penalty.
The Fleet had another penalty shout
turned down soon after as the ball struck Simpemba's arm just inside
the area. Osborn raced through and was fouled in the area, but
unfortunately for the Fleet, the ref blew up for the first foul that
occurred, which was outside of the area.
Ben May came on for his first
appearance of the season and his on-target effort was deflected
agonisingly wide of post. The Fleet had three corners in quick
succession but failed to make their pressure count, and it was the
hosts who could have grabbed victory late on, just like in midweek
against Tonbridge Angels.
Johnson's venomous effort from the edge
of the area was parried by Edwards and cleared by Aiden Palmer just
before young starlet Elliott Levy could get there.
A fair result in the grand scheme of
things, but not a result that the Fleet wanted! The Fleet host
Maidenhead United on Bank Holiday Monday as they still search for
their first win of the season. United will come refreshed as they
didn't play on Saturday due to Farnborough's current situation.
Fleet: Edwards, Howe, Lorraine, Huke,
Palmer, Green, Rance, McMahon, Cook (Long), Bricknell (Osborn),
Thalassitis (May).
Subs not used: Hall, Sankofa.
Attendance: 641.
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