Well it's Gaffer Wyatt's 1st game in charge after taking over the reins from Joe, but unfortunately is unable to attend due to work commitments. so it's left to (former) gaffer Smith and Captain Tommy D to run the team in Ricky's Absence.
We go with the 4-4-2 formation against a Fleet team lining up the same way. No real surprises with team selection, but we welcome back Mark Tabner after his time with the 1st team.
It's a slightly cagey start with both teams sizing each other up. We spot that the Fleet fullback area could be a weakness so we look at getting the ball wide to Kev & Jeff to attck the wings.
Fleets tactic seems to be hitting the ball long to their big striker and him holding it up to allow runners from midfield. With Rich & Mike probing upfront, we feel that they'll get the chances today.
But our achilles heel strikes again, and we go a goal down. The Fleet no12 races clear and puts the ball beyond the despairing dive of Peters to make it 0-1
We know it was a counter attack and we feel confident that we can get something.
The reply comes soon after. A corner from the right by Jeff, finds Hale unmarked in the middle for him to head home his 1st Boro goal. 1-1. With the belief amongst the team risen, we continue to attack the Fleet defence with our defence holding steady. Their weak point seems to be their left back so Kev & Hale run him at every given chance.
Our pressure soon pays off and we take the lead. An in-swinging cross from the left by Walker, evades the run of Joe and lands at Kev's feet, who takes 1 touch to control then gets the shot off, which, with a little help from the keeper creeps in at the near post. 2-1 and confidence is high.
We then become our own worst enemies, when the ball isn't cleared and the Fleet no14 pokes the loose ball into the corner of the net. 2-2
Half time and the score-line does flatter them a bit as we've had the bulk of possession without the final product.
2nd half begins and there is a lot of probing without final product. The Fleet keeper manages to punch away a few of our crosses but is not really tested. Mike Walker finds himself clean through, only for the ref to pull play back for a foul on Hale.
Then a reffing decision which could cost us the game goes against it. A stunning tackle by Farmer, leads to teh ref blowing up for a free kick at the edge of the box. Farmers outburst brings him a yellow card but we feel we were hard done by as he won the ball. The free kick is well uted and despite Peters getting a hand to it, it crosses the line via the cross-bar. 3-2.
A change is made with Mark Tabs replacing Rossi in the centre of midfield. Then the real talking point of the game. Rich gets pushed in the back following a Jeff throw on and a penalty is awarded. The Left back takes his protests a little too far, and ends up with a yellow card. Up steps Hale and...... drags it wide with the keeper well beaten, which results in a JUSTICE shout by said left back. The ref then procedes to show him a 2nd yellow followed by the customery red. Which then leads to again said left back firing a volley of abuse directed at the ref.
A switch in formation still leaves Fleet with 2 up front. A couple of changes of our own see Manning & Andi enter the field in place of Jeff & an injured Farmer.
But for the 2nd game running, a fluke goal befalls us. A Fleet corner goes all the way past the back post to the Fleet winger, who's dinked cross somehow goes over Andi's head and into the top corner. 4-2
And that's how the game ended. A game we felt we could've and should've got something from. Hale now finds himself at the back of the pen queue after his miss.
Next week is Fleet again, but at home, and should see Gaffer Wyatt there to oversee his 1st proper game in charge and should have a full squad to choose from.
