While Fleet fans have enjoyed rather more football than rival supporters of late, with Stonebridge Road’s proud record of not having a game postponed this season, there was nevertheless a welcome sight on the pitch earlier today.

In preparation for the FA Youth Cup game between Charlton and Arsenal on Friday evening, Fleet ground staff actually had to water the pitch – an almost unthinkable task given weeks and weeks of torrential rain.

Indeed head groundsman Craig Freeman’s mammoth mopping-up operation may have been just too efficient as, with the pitch deemed a little too dry earlier today, he was able to recycle a fraction of the rainwater stored in the tank by the Swanscombe End.