Leamington left it late, very late, but finally went through to the Southern League Premier play-off final on penalties.

Redditch United's Valley Stadium was pretty much bulging at the seams when I arrived. I managed to get the last spot on the adjacent field, which was being used as an overflow car park and made my way to the turnstile block. It's not often that you get stewards randomly searching people before a non-league game but, I suppose this was a big game and a local derby with a large away contingent expected.

Valley Stadium has everything that you would, or at least I would, want from a non-league football stadium. It has a slightly quirky, certainly unusual, main stand. It has two, quite old and quite substantial, covered standing areas and it has an open end behind one goal. It has atmosphere (especially with over a thousand people inside), character and a sense of history and tradition. You may have guessed that I really liked The Valley.

Before we get onto the game, it is only fair to point out the exemplary behaviour of both sets of fans during the minute's silence for club vice-chairman Sallie Swan who sadly passed away recently. A completely silent, packed stadium is a thought-provoking and moving experience. Although it is small comfort to Sallie's family, it must surely have been heart-warming to see the respect that was shown yesterday evening.

When the game kicked off it was Redditch who flew out of the blocks. Just three minutes into the game Leamington keeper Tony Breeden needed to be at his best to keep out a stinging Merson volley from the edge of the box. In fact, for the first ten minutes of the game, Redditch practically laid siege to the Leamington goal.
However, The Brakes withstood the onslaught and, slowly but surely, got themselves into the game. It became a little scrappy at this point but Leamington were just glad to have stemmed the red tide that came at them from kick-off. Redditch were still having the majority of possession but, apart from the threat of Merson's long throws, were not causing Breeden any serious problems.

Then, 25 minutes into the game, another Merson throw was headed back out to the thrower, he took a touch and launched the ball back into the Leamington box. It fell to Redditch captain Sammons on the right-hand edge of the 18 yard area and he hammered a thunderous volley past Breeden and into the net.
So, at half-time it was 1-0 to Redditch and, on the balance of play, a deserved lead.
With Leamington kicking down the slope and chasing the equaliser I was expecting an onslaught, similar to Redditch's first ten minutes, when the second period began. However, it didn't transpire. Leamington were, no doubt, having more possession than in the first half, but were still not seriously threatening the home goal. In terms of goal-mouth action, at both ends, it was a fairly quiet second half which, I am sure, was just how the home side would have wanted it. However, as the second period progressed, and the victory line came into sight, Redditch started to drop deeper and deeper. Maybe it was nerves, maybe fatigue or perhaps Leamington had upped the tempo and were forcing the backwards. It was hard to tell but, what was noticeable, was that the Redditch backline was getting closer and closer to their own penalty area. A couple of attacking substitutions from Leamington may well have contributed to this as well. Still, the Reds were holding on and a play-off final place seemed to be in the bag.

We were now deep into added time when Ben Mackey forced a corner. When the ball was swung into the Redditch box, with even Breeden up in the area, there was a brief period of ping-pong where the ball appeared to be cleared off the line at least once. it finally fell to Blake-Richardson on the back post and he, somehow, managed to force it over the line. Cue bedlam in the away end. The goal scorer was booked for taking his shirt off but I am sure he wasn't the slightest bit bothered. Leamington had clawed it back at the very death. There was barely time to get the ball back to the centre spot before the referee blew for full-time.
As we went into the extra-time period, you had to wonder if the Redditch team could lift themselves after having the game snatched away so late on. They certainly gave it all they had, that's for sure. In the first period of extra-time there didn't seem to be any sign that the home heads had dropped. Neither team really came that close to scoring but there was no shortage of endeavour on both parts.
It was still all-square at half-time in extra-time and you had the feeling that the game was going to penalties. It was The Brakes who, during the final 15 minutes, started to get on top and, by the final few minutes, you really got the impression that Redditch were clinging on for dear life. Leamington had a series of attempts, the first of which produced a superb save from Jose Veiga in The Robins goal. A header was then put over the top when it looked easier to score and yet another shot was stopped on the line by Veiga. Momentum had certainly swung fully around to the away side by the time the referee called an end to proceedings.
It would be decided on penalties. A superb spectacle for the crowd, especially neutrals like myself, but a harsh way for a season to end for the losers.

It would be decided on penalties. A superb spectacle for the crowd, especially neutrals like myself, but a harsh way for a season to end for the losers.
Despite the late hour, not that many of the 1303 inside the Valley had left as Ben Mackey stepped up at the car park end to take the first penalty, which played out like this:

Mackey for Leamington. Saved by Veiga. 0-0
Sammons for Redditch. Saved by Breeden. 0-0
Austin for Leamington. Scored. 0-1
Shearer for Redditch. Saved again by Breeden. 0-1
Breeden turns striker and scores himself. 0-2
Merson for Redditch. Scored. 1-2
Taundry for Leamington. Scored. 1-3
Carline for Redditch. Struck over the bar. 1-3 and game over.

The momentum of the very late equaliser had stayed with The Brakes all the way through extra-time and penalties. The curse of the Bromsgrove Triangle continues. Three teams, all within 5 miles of each other, have all come so close to winning their respective leagues (in fact all finished in second place) this season but all have fallen at the final hurdle. Redditch, of course, losing out last night. Alvechurch, for so long battling with Hereford and, at one point, holding the advantage. Finally, Bromsgrove Sporting, top for a while but eventually losing out to Coventry United. On a positive note though, with the local professional teams not performing too well recently, how wonderful to see all three local non-league sides showing them how to do it and competing well in their respective leagues. Long may it last and here's hoping that all three sides come back stronger next season.

Meanwhile, Leamington's kit man needs a quick trip to the launderette, avoiding Batman if possible, in order to get ready for a trip  to Hungerford Town, who came from 2-0 down at Hitchin to record a superb 3-2 victory in the other semi-final.
Best of luck to both teams and may the best side win in the final.

Redditch United - @redditchunited1
Leamington - @leamingtonfc

​I was transported back to the dark days of my 3 years of commuting around the M25 this Tuesday. The short journey from my office to Woking Park, a distance of around 22 miles, took 85 minutes thanks to the joys of the orbital car park. To put that in perspective, on Sunday Eliud Kipchoge ran just over 26 miles in 2 hours 3 mins, an average of 1 mile every 4.7 minutes. I only averaged 1 mile in every 3.7 in a car! 

Rant over. Why was I sitting in a traffic jam on a Tuesday evening?
Well, I was on my way to see Westfield play Hartley Wintney in, what could be, the title-deciding game of the Combined Counties Premier season. 

Hartley Wintney or The Row as they are nicknamed, required a win to ensure that they became league champions for the second time in their history. Rivals, and only other title contenders, Camberley Town were playing just down the road at Chessington & Hook but, whatever their result, a Hartley win would be more than they could match.

Woking Park is a fairly large park and leisure complex on the edge of the town of Woking. The football stadium itself is a relatively new part of the park next to the leisure centre and close to ample parking. The pitch is in the shadow of Woking FCs Kingfield Stadium (or should I say, Laithwaite Community Stadium) so, on a day that had seen frost in the morning and sleet & snow showers in the afternoon, a further chill was cast over this former West Brom season-ticket holder as the memories of Tim Buzaglo flooded back.
After parking in the main leisure centre car park the stadium is just a short walk across a bridge over the Hoe Stream. The entrance to the ground is through a gap in the main complex building leading to a single turnstile. This brings you into the ground at, roughly, the halfway line. Immediately to your left as you enter are a set of stairs that lead up to the bar and facilities. There is also a fairly large balcony running along the side of the complex building, outside the bar. There is more than enough room for 50 or so people to get a good view of the game from this area. There are two covered seating areas in the ground. One is a small standalone structure to the left of the far goal, the other is a few rows of seats built into the main complex directly below the bar and balcony. The dugouts are on the far side of the ground, opposite the main complex. Only three sides of the ground are open to spectators. There is no access to the far side, behind the dugouts.

The game, as you would expect, opened with Hartley very much on the front foot. They were clearly looking for an early goal to maybe settle the nerves a little.

Just after the 10 minute mark they almost had the opener. A long ball though the Westfield defence saw some confusion between the defender and goalkeeper allowing Hartley striker Sam Argent to get a block on the clearance. The ball ran to fellow striker Andre Williams but he dragged his shot narrowly wide. Two minutes later a free kick, fizzed in from the right, was met by a glancing header from Argent and, with the keeper beaten, it just flew past the post and out for a goal kick.
It was all Hartley at this stage but, to be fair to Westfield, they rode this initial storm and began to get a bit of a foothold in the game.

That was until the 42nd minute. There seemed to be little danger when the ball found Steve Duff 30 yards out. However, he took aim and smashed a stinging low drive past the keeper and into the bottom left hand corner of the net. A superb strike and just what Hartley needed.
The teams went in at half-time with the score at 0-1. Not a classic by any means but enough to claim the title if it stayed that way.

The second half kicked off with the home side looking rejuvenated. They had offered little in the way of attacking threat for the first 45 minutes but came close to getting back on level terms as early as the 50th minute. A cross from the right found an unmarked Westfield striker just 8 yards out but his header went wide of the far post. A real let-off for Hartley but they didn't learn their lesson. Ten minutes later Westfield produced the best move of the game. Some intricate one-touch passing right through the centre of the Hartley defence lead to a strike from the edge of the box which was deflected wide for a corner.

You could feel the nerves setting into the away side and Westfield could sense blood. A superb piece of skill from Westfield's Andrew Mensah almost brought the scores level on 70 minutes. Mensah wriggled free of his marker, making enough space for him to attempt a lob from the edge of the box. The ball easily beat the keeper but struck the underside of the bar and bounced clear. A few minutes later,

Hartley keeper Craig Atkinson had to be alert to make a good save from Adam Bellmaine as Westfield continued to put pressure on the away defence.
Then, on 82 minutes, and against the general run of play, Hartley substitute Ross Cook broke free and finished deftly past Norman in the home goal. The relief from the Hartley players, bench and support was massive. The title was heading to Green Lane despite a very spirited second-half performance from Westfield.

However, there was still time for the crossbar to come to Hartley's rescue again. This time a driven cross from the left flank was smashed against his own bar by Hartley centre-half Dean Stow. It was the last major action of the game.

Hartley were champions. As it happened, Camberley had failed to win at Chessington anyway but, the 2-0 win for The Row confirmed the destination of the title.

Congratulations to everyone at Hartley Wintney FC. A shame that the ground-grading rules won't allow the club to be promoted to Step 4. Maybe next year?

Pictures of the Championship winning squad can be found here - https://www.facebook.com/hartley.wintneyfc

Westfield - @westfield_fc
Hartley Wintney - @hartleyfc

​This Tuesday's game choice was not decided until very late in the day. After being down in the South-West all day, I had a list of potential games covering half of the country. However, after getting back from Bath a little earlier than expected, I was able to head off to Leicestershire for the crunch local United Counties Premier derby between Kirby Muxloe and Leicester Nirvana and a first visit to Ratby Lane.
With Kirby in seventh spot, but only a 3 point deduction adrift of fourth-placed Holbeach, and Leicester currently top of the table on goal difference, 
I was expecting a good game. Nirvana's rivals for the title, Kempston Rovers, were also in action against third-placed Newport Pagnell and I am sure that at least one of the travelling Leicester contingent had one eye on Twitter for score updates (I know I did).

Ratby Lane is situated just a decent goal-kick off the M1, just North of Leicester Forest services. The football ground is part of the Kirby Muxloe Sports Club which also plays host to cricket and has a an artificial five-a-side pitch.
There are three covered areas around the pitch. At the far end from the car park, behind the goal, is a small covered standing area. On the M1 side of the ground there are two covered seating areas, one a more modern looking stand with blue and yellow seating (the colours of Kirby Muxloe) that spells out KMFC. Alongside this is a breeze block construction that also houses a few rows of non-tiered seating. The dugouts are opposite the two main stands, on the Ratby Lane side of the stadium. The main clubhouse is situated off the car park and is not accessible from inside the ground.

It was noticeable, as the teams made their way out, that a fair few officials and supporters from Nirvana had made their way across Leicester for this game. Leicester, in their red and black stripes, were kicking down the slight slope in the first half and it was clear from the opening minutes that they were in no mood to be dropping points. In fact the blue and yellow shirts of Kirby Muxloe rarely made it across the halfway line in the opening 15 
minutes.That said, and with all their possession, Leicester did not really trouble the home goalkeeper in the opening 39 minutes. That was until a thunderous 

drive from outside the box beat the home keeper only to hit the inside of his right hand post and rebound to safety. Nirvana were getting closer and two minutes later they got their reward. A driven cross from the left wing was met at the near post by Tendai Chitizia giving the home keeper no chance. 0-1 and no more than Leicester deserved.

Despite their dominance, Leicester couldn't find another goal before half-time and the players left the field with the score at 0-1. Coincidentally, Kempston were leading Newport Pagnell by the same score. The biggest surprise at Kirby was that it was only a single goal lead, such had been the discrepancy in possession.

​If the home side had ideas about pulling the game back these were completely dashed after just a minute of the second half. Nirvana attacked down their left flank again, with pace and precision, cutting open the home defence. The ball eventually found it's way to the impressive Pearson Mwanyongo who finished with ease, capping the best move of the game fittingly. At 1-0 down Kirby possibly had a chance, at 2-0 down it was looking unlikely.

Seven minutes later, it was definitely game over, although in slightly controversial circumstances. When a Leicester player went down under a challenge in the box it looked, from my angle, very innocuous. However the referee immediately blew for a penalty, much to the annoyance of home players and management. Not the fist time this week that a Leicester player had been involved in a contentious penalty decision, but with a very different outcome.
Chitizia stepped up and stroked the ball past the keeper for his second and Leicester's third of the night.
​
With the game in the bag Leicester withdrew Mwanyongo. Understandable with some key matches still to come but a shame for those of us watching. In a Leicester team that, to be fair, is full of good players who all like to get the ball down and pass it around, he stands out at times. The combination of terrifying pace combined with ball control and, as shown a few times on Tuesday night, the confidence to try a trick or two, he really is very entertaining to watch. Since I last saw Leicester play in October (http://www.botp.co.uk/blog/hidden-treasure), Mwanyongo seems to have improved his game. The final ball seems to be there and the decision making appears to be better. Yes, he sometimes takes on one too many but that has to be expected with these type of flair players. There were times on Tuesday when he put me in mind of Laurie Cunningham with some of his movement. Certainly not the finished article by any means but it is great to see a winger who can take people on and run at defences.

With less than an hour on the clock the game was, in effect, over. Kirby, to their credit, did not give up on the game and certainly performed better in the second half than they had in the first. They couldn't, however, find a goal and the game petered out somewhat.

​So, a good 3-0 win for Leicester, maintaining their position at the top on goal difference. They also gained a goal on Kempston who, eventually, ran out 2-0 winners against Newport Pagnell. The title chase looks like it will go right down to the last kick of the season. Leicester have a slight edge but arguably have the more difficult run in with Rothwell (H), Holbeach (H) and Eynesbury (A) to come. Kempston have Oadby (A), Eynesbury (H) and Boston (H).
So, a three goal victory gives Leicester a three goal difference with three games to go. In a week where threesomes are in the news, it seems that three is the magic number.

Kirby Muxloe - @kirbymuxloefc
Leicester Nirvana - @leicnirvanafc

Scanning the fixtures, my eye was caught by the Southern League Central clash between Kings Langley and Fleet Town. Having been at the reverse fixture, just 11 days ago, and having witnessed a thoroughly entertaining goalless draw, it looked like a good choice. A few tweets and twitter searches revealed that the game was ON. Only an hours drive away, so I could still make it back in line with my schedule. Perfect.

A quick dash down the A41 and I was at Gaywood Park with 15 minutes to spare. Just as well as there was no room left in the car park and, as the ground is on a major road, not too much parking close by. However, I did find the last spot in a layby just a 100 yards from the ground entrance and was inside well before the teams made their way out onto the pitch.

Gaywood Park is an interesting stadium and not without a certain charm and character. The ground is situated on a narrow strip of land wedged between the Grand Union Canal and the main road between Kings Langley and Hemel Hempstead. The entrance turnstile takes you in adjacent to the clubhouse and changing facilities, which are both raised a few feet above pitch level, giving you a good panorama of the ground. There are four separate covered areas around the pitch. On the canal side, which is where the dugouts are situated, there are two covered standing areas either side of the half way line. There is also a small area of covered seating behind the far goal and a low, covered stand on the Hempstead Road side, towards the clubhouse end.

Kings Langley started the game knowing that, with Egham's game postponed, a win would take them back to the top of the table and they started like a team heading for the summit. The game was only a couple of minutes old when a first time effort from outside the box looped over the visiting keeper and struck the bar. It was a sign of things to come in the first half.

Fourteen minutes in and the home side took the lead. A vicious strike from the edge of the box was parried by the keeper but Kings number 7, Ward, was quickest to react and crashed in the rebound. To be fair, it was no more than Kings Langley deserved.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure but were made to wait a further 20 minutes before they increased their lead. Another shot from outside the box but, this time Hutton's drive deceived the keeper and went straight in. Despite their efforts, at 2-0, there didn't look like a way back for Fleet at this point.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first, with Kings Langley having the majority of the possession. However Fleet, to their credit, rolled their sleeves up and battled away. With a side depleted by injury and still suffering from the after effects of a creditable 2-2 draw with Egham, Fleet did very well to keep the home side at bay.

Fleet also lost their left-back, Josh Francis, with what looked like a nasty injury to his arm or shoulder. He certainly looked in pain as he trudged past me with his arm in a make-shift sling. I hope the injury wasn't too serious.

To be honest, there is not too much to say about the second half. In the end it was a fairly comfortable three points for Kings Langley who, I have to say, look like a very good side. Well organised at the back, solid in midfield and a threat when they go forward. If they do go up they have the potential to hold their own at a higher level.

Best of luck to both of these teams. Having visited both clubs in under two weeks, it is clear that both are run very well and are a credit to their league.

Kings Langley - @klfcofficial
Fleet Town - fcfleettown

It was all change this midweek. Swapping my usual Tuesday evening game for a Wednesday, I had initially planned to visit Littleton v Atherstone Town in the Midland League. However, when this was called off late in the afternoon I decided to head over to Cambridgeshire for my first taste of Eastern Counties Premier football and a tasty looking clash between third-placed Gomanchester Rovers and fourth-placed Felixstowe & Walton United. I was not to be disappointed.
Although this was my first view of the Easter Counties League it was not my first encounter with Godmanchester Rovers. In October I had seem them progress in the Hinchinbrooke Cup by beating Potton United 2-1 in Bedfordshire. Since that evening I had been pencilling in a trip to Godmanchester, so this was a good a chance as any.
Godmanchester's stadium since 2002, The David Wilson Homes Ground, is situated just outside the town and is sandwiched between two farms, Bearcroft Farm and Dexters Farm. Access to the ground is via a small lane, Bearcroft Lane, which is very easy to miss especially on a spring evening when it is starting to get dark but there are no floodlights on to guide you. There is a reasonable sized car park adjacent to the ground with plenty of stewards around to guide you to a spot.
Access into the stadium is through a single entrance gate which brings you into the ground next to one of the corner flags. The facilities are all along the Bearcroft Lane side of the ground. They include a clubhouse, snack bar, toilet facilities and, of course, the players and officials areas. The actual pitch is raised slightly above the level of the clubhouse and is accessed via a few steps. There are three covered areas around the ground. Two seating areas and the Bearcroft Lane side  and a covered standing area to the right of the goal (as you look at it) at the car park end of the ground. The dugouts are situated on the far side of the ground, opposite the main stand.

The home side were coming into the game on a fantastic streak of 13 wins and a draw in their last 14 games, inlcuding a 2-1 win at leaders Norwich United. The only points dropped had come in March at Felixstowe where the teams fought out a tough goalless draw. The Seasiders form, though good, couldn't match their hosts, with 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats in their last 10 league outings. No doubt, after a 0-0 draw just a few weeks ago, this was going to be a tight encounter.

It was Rovers who started the brighter and should have taken the lead inside the first 5 minutes when Parr somehow managed to let the visitors off the hook with a close range, unmarked header. Seven minutes later the home side were rueing their missed chance when they went behind to a very nicely taken goal. The ball was played to Felixstowe number 10, Jordan Matthews, who turned his man sharply, drove on and hit a crisp, low shot which beat the home keeper at his near post.

The goal seemed to spur on the home side and they immediately set about getting back into the game. Just past the twenty minute mark the Felixstowe keeper was called into action and did very well to push a stinging drive over the bar. The respite, however, was short-lived. From the resulting corner a header crashed against the foot of the post and Luke Brown absolutely hammered the rebound into the net. It was all Rovers at this point and, possibly due to a forced reshuffle at the back, Felixstowe were really struggling to cope with the crosses and set plays of the home side.
On 38 minutes another cross, this time from the right, was met at the far post and headed back into the mix. This caused more chaos in the away defence and Parr, making up for his earlier miss, rifled the ball into the roof of the net to put Gdmanchester 2-1 up. Two absolutely ruthless finishes from the home side.
The score remained the same up until half-time and, on the balance of play, it was a deserved lead for Rovers. However, you still had the feeling that the match could go either way and so it was to prove quite early in the second period.

The Seasiders came out for the second half, after clearly getting a rocket at half-time, searching for an equaliser. They didn't have to wait too long. Ten minutes in a long ball down the left flank was chased down by the visiting number 9 who did exceptionally well to work his way into the box and lay the ball back for Matthews to finish the move off with his, and Felixstowe's, second of the night.

The second half then continued to ebb and flow with Felixstowe probably having the most possession but overall the game was evenly matched. The away side had sorted out their first-half defensive problems and central midfielder Jamal Wiggins was winning a fascinating midfield battle with home dynamo Michael Hyem.

Hyem, though, was to have the last word in this battle. It was his lung-bursting run onto a slide rule Luke Brown pass which saw the midfielder hauled down as he tried to round the keeper. Brown stepped up and, in the style of Igor Balis at Bradford a few years back, hammered the ball low to the keepers right for what turned out to be the winner.

With 8 minutes plus injury time left, Felixstowe were certainly not giving up and, to give them their dues, they pushed Rovers back deeper and deeper for the remainder of the game. However, the home goal was not severely threatened in this time and the referee called an end to proceeding with the score still 3-2.

As I said at the start of this blog, this was my first venture into the Eastern Counties League. If these two teams are anything to go by, it certainly won't be my last though. Two very good sides who both tried to win the game. It was a thoroughly entertaining evening and, as I tweeted at full-time, worth £6 of anyone's money.

Good luck to both sides in the future.

Godmanchester Rovers - @goddyroversfc
Felixstowe & Walton United - @felixseasiders

After a week off for an Easter break in the sun it was back to league action on Tuesday night and a long trip South to watch Fleet Town take on Southern League Central leaders, Kings Langley. I had been promising myself a trip to Calthorpe Park for a couple of seasons, so it was good to finally get to visit the ground despite it being a 150 mile round trip.

As always, let's start with a brief description of the stadium. Situated within  walking distance of the town centre, the ground manages to give the feeling of being out in the countryside. The entrance to the ground is approached through the car park and a single turnstile which brings you into the stadium between the main stand, which has seating for 250, and the snack bar. There are also covered standing areas behind both goals with the dugouts being opposite the main stand. The clubhouse is accessed directly from the car park, not from within the stadium itself. The playing surface slopes down from right to left as you look from the main stand and the whole ground is pretty much surrounded by trees which adds to the rural feel.
Something about Fleet Town gives you a feel good factor. The welcome at the turnstile was friendly and the lady in the snack bar chats to everyone as if they were all old friends. You even see the Chairman wandering around mixing with supporters and having a chat. It gives a very welcoming feel to the club for which they should be congratulated.

I was really looking forward to this game not least because I hadn't been to a match for 2 weeks. Also it was a chance to see a team who, I knew, tried to play an entertaining style as well as a chance to see the league leaders.
A mention here for Kings Langley. After gaining promotion to Step 4 for the first time in the clubs long history there has been no thought of a season of consolidation, rather they have set about the league as if they are veterans at this level. Going into the game on Tuesday they were sitting proudly on top of the league with a one point lead and already pretty much guaranteed at least a play-off spot. A great effort from the club.

So to the game. With Kings Langley kicking down the slope in the first half I was really expecting an onslaught in the opening 20 minutes or so. However, this didn't really transpire and it was Fleet who came closest to scoring within the opening 10 minutes when a through ball caught out the Kings defence and Comas, in the away goal, had to make a good stop.
The work rate of the home side seemed to be unsettling the leaders somewhat and they were struggling to get any coherent moves together. Having said that, the undoubted quality throughout their side meant that they always looked dangerous when breaking forward.

It was Fleet, however, who continued to carve out the better chances. A long range lob, with the keeper well out of his ground, was comfortably cleared by a defender and Comas was again called into action to tip a speculative effort over his bar.

Despite their dominance there was always a feeling that Fleet could be vulnerable when Kings did manage to push forward and, towards the end of the half, the away side did start to make more inroads in the Fleet half. A free-kick awarded almost on the goal line just outside the right-hand side of the Fleet box was pulled back for an onrushing Kings player to fire just over. Then, with a minute or so left in the first half, the away side strung together their best move of the game which culminated in a stinging shot from just inside the box which the home keeper did well to beat away.
As the half came to a close though, it was Fleet who ended it on the attack. Another cross into Comas' area was attacked by a group of players, leaving a Fleet player, Ben White, down after colliding with his own strike partner. The referee actually blew for half-time whilst the physio was still on the pitch treating the player.
So goalless, but very entertaining, at half-time.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first half with Fleet pushing their opponents back down the slope now. Craig Stanley, who had come on to replace the player injured at the end of the first half, was a continual thorn in the side of the Kings defence. His energy and willingness to chase everything was causing all sorts of problems. Still, however, Fleet could not find the breakthrough and, as the half progressed, you could feel the unease in the home support as Fleet legs tired and the game opened up. The second period seemed to fly past with the teams taking it in turn to attack and defend. On 75 minutes the away side had a golden opportunity to take the lead. One of their, now more frequent raids, was put out for a corner and, when the ball was crossed in, it was straight onto the head of the unmarked Stuart Deaton 10 yards out. His header, however, flew over the bar much to the relief of the home keeper.
With both sides going for the three points, the game continued end to end. Right on the end of normal time a Fleet corner was bundled over the line but the referee pulled it back for, I think, a foul on the goalkeeper.
And so it ended 0-0 but, as I tweeted at the final whistle. it was not a dull game in fact, I would say it was the best goalless draw I have witnessed. Credit to both sides for laying on such top-class entertainment.
Fleet may be below the halfway mark in the table but with a visit to Kings Langley and a home game with new leaders Egham still to come this season, they will certainly have a say in where the league title ends up.
Best of luck to both teams in the future.

Fleet Town - @fcfleettown
Kings Langley - @klfcofficial