There's not much I can say about this game other than we played poorly. We started the match quite brightly and in the first 10 minutes, we had forced a couple of corners. The Fleet defence failed to clear the ball but we only managed to fire wide on both occasions. After this openeing spell we started to give the ball away cheaply and at times we were defending in numbers as Fleet dominated the rest of the half and they pressed for the opening goal. For all their pressure, Fleet failed to score and we managed to hold out until half-time.
H.T. Fleet 0, Vale 0
The 2nd half started as the first and for the opening 10 minute spell we were on top as we pushed the Fleet defence back. This again brought us a few corners but again we failed to capitilise. In 57 minutes we lived to regret our missed chances when Fleet opened the scoring. Thompson headea long ball into the path of the Fleet striker McKie and he rounded our keeper to score. 6 minutes later we were 2 down when then ref awarded a penalty for handball. McKie sent the keeper the wrong way to double Fleet's lead. 2 minutes later we gave the ball away in the middle and the same striker headed in a 3rd goal for himself and Fleet. 10 minutes later McKie scored again to make the scoreline Fleet 4, Vale 0. We then started to make changes and we came back into the game and created a number of chances. But we failed to take any of them as Fleet defended well to keep us out. The final whistle blew to leave us well beaten on the day
Full Time Fleet Star 4, Abbey Vale 0
Ref C Saunders (Dumfries)