14/4/2008

Sport

Howell seals play-off spot

by Steve Cantle

A LATE goal by Simeon Howell wrapped up the points for Fleet to make sure of a top-five finish and a place in the play-offs.

The midfielder’s strike, with just six minutes to go, came at the end of an impressive fight-back by Andy Sinton’s men. A goal behind just after the interval, Fleet fought back strongly and a goal by the in-form James Field turned things back in his side’s favour and set up the pulsating finale.

Crucially, the three points takes Fleet into an assured play-off place and increases their chances of the top-three finish, which would ensure home advantage for the opening round of play-off matches in a few weeks’ time.

Fleet now have two remain-ing league games: first, away to Paulton next Saturday, before their league programmes ends at Calthorpe Park the following weekend, against Slough Town.

For the visit to Burnham, Sinton made a few changes to the side that had been so unconvincing against Hayes last Saturday.

In came Phil John for Will Salmon at the back, and Sinton preferred Darren Campbell to Nathan Smart, following the youngster’s fine showing in the cup game against Farnborough in midweek.

There was also a place on the bench for veteran Dutch keeper Hans Segers, who had been signed by Sinton as cover for the absent Dave Smalley.

The ex-Spurs coach and former Nottingham Forest and Wimbledon player is shortly to take up a position back in his native Holland, but will again travel with the Fleet side to Paulton next weekend.

Despite playing into a strong breeze Fleet soon found their rhythm and just got the better of a tight even first 25 minutes.

On a dry, hard surface winger James Field was able to stretch his legs and was causing problems down the left side. After 28 minutes, it was a run by Field that finally broke the deadlock.

Cutting inside his marker, the winger whipped in a fast ball to front man, Ben Wright, who found Mark Anderson with a neat pass.

Six yards out, Anderson turned quickly and made no mistake with his shot to open the scoring.

The home side responded well, and looked dangerous on the break. Just before the interval, a fast counter-attack down the left presented Burnham’s Graham Lewis with a chance from just outside the 18 yard box. The striker’s firm shot curled into the top corner of the net, giving keeper Paul Smith little chance to save.

Two minutes after the re-start Burnham made it 2-1. Leading scorer Leon Yarnie had a clear shot from just inside the 18 yard area, which again Smith was unable to reach.

Fleet immediately raised their tempo and three minutes later were back on terms, thanks to a fine individual effort from Field. The winger again cut inside after a run down the left, and evaded the efforts of the Burnham keeper with a firm strike all along the ground from 20 yards out.

In a tense final 30 minutes, Fleet pressed hard for the winner. With six minutes to go, a cross from the left picked out Howell, who drove the ball home from just outside the box, for the winner.

Fleet: Paul Smith, Phil John (Salmon 75mins), Jack Smith, Damien Smith, Noakes, Hemmings, Field, Howell, Anderson, Wright, Campbell (Smart 75 mins). Subs not used: Segers, Pearce, Hamilton.

First printed in: Aldershot News and Mail