A five-star second-half performance saw the Fleet dominate against AFC Totton, following up last season’s 4-0 home win over the Stags with a 5-0 victory this time around.
Aramide Oteh made his full debut as one of three changes against a Totton side captained by ex-Fleet defender Tyler Cordner but without Craig Tanner.
Daniel Ogunleye had the first chance of the match as he tried to get to Lennon Peake’s delivery across the box. Moments later, Finlay Barnes darted down the left before supplying Oteh but his attempt was just off the mark as he tried to direct the ball past Dylan Moody.
Ben Chapman tried his luck from a tight angle on the right but that was into the gloves of the Totton goalkeeper.
The visitors had a short spell of possession but their attacks were snuffed out, though Will Fletcher had the best chance with a shot that might have bounced through on goal but instead missed the target. Fleet tried to regain the initiative and Barnes looked to link up with Chapman but his headed effort in the area was over the bar whilst Oteh’s attempt following good work from Peake was gathered by Moody.
The opening minutes of the second-half didn’t improve for the watching public but soon the Fleet earned their first corners of the match before Josh Wright decided on a double substitution on 55 minutes. And just like on Saturday, the two replacements made a big impact.
Toby Edser hit a shot from outside the box on target that Moody saved but he spilled the ball back out into the path of Kwesi Appiah who made no mistake with the rebound.
That lead was doubled within minutes and this time it was Daniel Ogunleye who broke through on goal and tucked the ball away from a tight angle.
The goals continued for the Fleet and Ogunleye got his second of the night. Appiah was in on the action again as hit a shot across Moody that might have gone in but Ogunleye made sure, sliding in at the far post and colliding with it as he converted.
The Fleet refused to slow down as Appiah looked to sneak one past Moody moments later but the goalkeeper just about came out on top on that occasion.
He was picking the ball out of the net again on 74 minutes though as the fourth goal came when Ronny Nelson sent a powerful shot from distance for his first goal of the season.
Five minutes from the end, Ogunleye thought he had secured his first hat-trick in a Fleet shirt when he sprung forward and played a shot over Moody but his celebrations were cut short as the offside flag was raised.
With added time almost up, there was still time for a fifth and Chapman made it two goals in two games as he capped a superb second-half performance with a shot from 20 yards.
The win sent the Fleet into the play-off positions – from 21st to sixth place in two weeks – with three games in hand remaining on the sides above and around them.
EUFC: Buse, Passley (Tizzard 60), Gbadebo, Nelson, Vennings, Kennedy (Edser 57), Chapman, Peake (Vokins 74), Barnes (Manktelow 77), Ogunleye, Oteh (Appiah 57). Subs not used: Box, Walker.
WSM: Moody, Austin (Mills 68), Hallett, Cordner, Sims (Osbourne 45), Vigrass, Fleet, Rose, Ward, Fletcher, Godziemski (Lee 68). Subs not used: Betts, Chandler, Bennett, Gosney.
Attendance: 844
Photos: ©EUFC: Ed Miller/Tom Harris
