SO, it’s round two of the derby. Fleet Town entertain local rivals Farnborough at Calthorpe Park on Easter Monday in a clash that could go a long way in deciding the destination of the BGB Southern 1 & South West title.

For Fleet, a win is vital not just to restore some pride after their 5-1 mauling at Cherrywood Road on Boxing Day, but also to consolidate their play off place and boost their push for the title.

Neighbours Farnborough are the current league leaders, eight points ahead of second place Didcot Town and needing a win to keep up their relentless charge for the title.

When the teams met in December Michael Douglas gave Fleet an early lead but a long range effort from Ian Oliver levelled the scores before half time. After the break Boro burst into life and a stunning hat-trick from Rob Saunders set them on their way to a massive win.

The stakes are even higher this time round, and Boro boss Andy Clement said he doesn’t think the Boxing Day win gives his side the edge.

“I don’t think it will have any bearing on the game,” he said. “They have a few new players, so do we. Obviously they won’t want to get beaten again and we certainly won’t want to lose so I think it will be a real battle.

“It was tough in the first game but as soon as we got in front we dominated. We have fared well against the top teams this year and I’m looking forward to a good game with a good crowd as well.”

Fleet manager Andy Sinton was in agreement with Clement that the last match means nothing, and said that his players will be looking for revenge.

“No-one likes getting turned over like we did, so the players will have a point to prove,” he said. “But the last game doesn’t count for much now.

“Farnborough will come to us top of the league and players always want to beat the top side, so that will motivate us.

“They are in great form and we are on a poor run, so we will be looking to reverse that as well.”

Sinton is certainly accurate with his comments, as the two sides’ recent form could not be more of a contrast. Fleet have been on a dire run that has seen them lose five out of their last six games.

Boro have done completely the opposite, winning their last five games since the loss to Thatcham, and have conceded just once in that time, scoring 17 goals.

That run has taken them eight points clear of their nearest rivals at the top, and perhaps key to Boro’s free scoring approach is Darren Wheeler’s recent string of fine performances.

His searing pace makes him more and more of a danger as games wear on and players tire, and as well as scoring nine goals this term, he has had a hand in creating numerous others.

 

Fleet’s dangerman is another goalscoring winger, James Field, who has found the net 24 times in all competitions this season.

His freekicks have become something of a trademark in recent games, and he scored twice from set-pieces in the 4-1 win over Winchester last week.

A titanic local derby looms, and a result for either side could be crucial in deciding where the championship trophy is headed.

 

Provided neither side picks up any injuries in tomorrow’s games then the likely line-ups should be:

 

Fleet: Paul Smith, Paterson, Jack Smith, Noakes, Hemmings, Salmon, Field, Howell, Campbell, Anderson, John.

 

Boro: Beazley, Hill, Oliver, Doyle, Woozley/Marshall, Saunders, Rumbold Ciardini, Wheeler, Bartley, Richardson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

First printed in: Aldershot News and Mail