The Fleet secured a point on the road following a goalless draw against Hemel Hempstead Town, who have still to enjoy a win over their visitors in 12 matches between the sides.
There was little opportunity for either side to win this one in a game of few chances that saw Fleet make two changes – Ben Coker and Jamie Fielding coming into the team at the expense of George Moncur and Tom Dallison.
The Fleet started the more eager of the sides in their search for an early opener as Coker delivered a cross into the area from a corner which Fielding met but he couldn’t keep his headed effort on target.
The visitors came close again minutes later with Ben Chapman releasing Josh Coley who only had goalkeeper Michael Johnson to beat but the attack was called back due to an offside. Next up, Chapman looked to turn in a repeat from Saturday as he caught Hemel’s keeper off his line from a tight angle and the ball swept across goal but missed the upright by inches (below).
The Fleet continued to be the more adventurous with Coker’s delivery from the left looking to pick out Jake Hessenthaler who in the box but Johnson was able to climb and gather the ball ahead of the Fleet midfielder.
Mark Cousins was called into action minutes before the break when a close-range effort from Kyran Wiltwhire was tipped away as Hemel – with former Fleet academy player Mathew Achuba in their ranks – closed the first period strongly, enjoying plenty of possession but without any real danger.
The second-half was a slower affair but Hemel began to push for the breakthrough and Fleet’s defence had to stand tall, with Fielding stopping Millar Matthew-Lewis from getting a clean shot away.
At the other end, Coker slotted a neat pass into the path of Chapman who sprinted down the left wing and got a shot away towards goal but once again Johnson was able to collect.
Both managers made changes just past the hour mark but none of them really changed the pace or direction of the game and Fleet took the point as they go into Saturday’s game and the visit of Hornchurch with a clean sheet to build on.
EUFC: Cousins, Seaman, Coker, Olagunju, Ehmer, Fielding, Hessenthaler, Edser (Kennedy 63), Chapman, Coley (Moncur 63), Cosgrave. Subs: Dallison, Nelson, Peake, Barnes, Bellagambi
HHTFC: Johnson, Adenola, Dowrich (Wilkinson 90), Ajayi, Thompson, Williams (Noel-Williams 83), Gray (Stanley 63) Wiltshire, Achuba (Semakula 85), Matthew-Lewis (Vilhete 80), White. Subs: Arnold, Anderson.
Attendance: 724
Photos: ©EUFC : Tom Harris / Ed Miller
