The Fleet’s relegation might have been mathematically confirmed on the final whistle but Josh Wright’s side battled their way to a much-deserved point and a third game unbeaten as they twice came from behind against in-form Aldershot.
There were three changes to the side after last week’s win over AFC Fylde. Maxx Manktelow earned his first league start and was joined by Josh Passley and Toby Edser against his old club. Out went Lewis Page, Alex Lankshear and Alex Aoraha.
Passley showed a willingness to get forward early and he broke into the Aldershot half with a run down the right flank to get a cross over but Domi hadn’t quite matched the run to reach it.
A good block by Manktelow at the other end brought a corner for the hosts as they tried to get some early tempo in front of their East Bank and they did that – Ryan Jones got a shot away at an angle to open the scoring with 14 minutes on the clock.
That opener sparked a flurry of goals as moments later the Fleet were level thanks to Domi. His quick feet allowed him to skilfully shake off his marker and he unleashed a shot into the top left corner of the net that left Marcus Dewhurst reaching for air.
But Aldershot were back in front less than two minutes later this time through Josh Barrett. A bouncing ball fell to the top scorer and a well-taken half-volley zipped past Mark Cousins.
That was all after 19 minutes and it took Fleet just eight more to find another equaliser. Domi earned a free-kick 20 yards out from goal and George Moncur made no mistake with his curling strike to bury the ball, this time in the top right.
And three minutes after that, the Fleet shocked the home support by taking the lead. Ben Chapman hoisted the ball up the line for Cosgrave who controlled it well and made the most of poor judgement from the Shots defenders to bear down on goal and strike beyond Dewhurst.
Passley intercepted Aldershot’s only real attempt to get back on level terms in what remained of the first half and they closed it out growing in confidence against a home side who must have thought they had the game by the scruff of the neck after twice taking the lead.
Passley’s involvement was quickly over in the second half as he pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring problem and made way for Elijah Anthony, making his league debut after his winning goal in the Kent Senior Cup in midweek.
Aldershot pressed for an equaliser but couldn’t create anything too clear cut until 23 minutes from the end. A set-piece across the Fleet box had several players jumping towards it but Mustapha Olagunju’s arm was up and the referee bided his time but awarded the penalty as Fleet tried to clear. Tyler Frost stepped up and although Cousins went the right way, the spot-kick was in.
The Shots asked a few questions over the next few minutes as they looked to win it but Barrett’s dipping shot was the wrong side of the crossbar and Cousins saved from both Ryan Jones and Josh Barham as the minimal added time gave neither side the chance to win it.
EUFC: Cousins, O’Neill, Manktelow, Olagunju, Passley (Anthony 51), Bolger, Chapman, Edser, Moncur (Carr 82), Domi (Poleon 76), Cosgrave (Thomas 70). Subs not used: Bingham, Aoraha, Goddard
ATFC: Dewhurst, Hargreaves, Laing (Henry 59), Woodhouse, Frost, Barrett, R Jones, Anderson (Widdrington 64), A Jones, Barham (Corbett 82), Armitage. Subs not used: Bray, Mullins, Uwakwe, Van Stappershoef,
Attendance: 2,685 (116 EUFC)
Photos: © EUC/EdMiller
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