Whitchurch Utd 1 Fleet Spurs 2.

WHITCHURCH manager Brian Drury had no complaints after seeing his high flying side suffer their second consecutive defeat at the hands of Fleet Spurs.

It is the first time this season that the Longmeadow outfit, second in the Wessex League Division One have suffered back-to-back defeats. They were still without strikers Ashley Childs and Pa Touray which proved to be thier downfall as they dominated the first half hour, but were unable to put away the chances. Before the break, Paul Coventry, Jon Richardson and Elliot Capel all went close but after the interval, Sam Knowles put away a spot kick to give Fleet Spurs the lead. From there Whitchurch camped themselves in the visitors half, but were then caught on the break, as Knowles produced a wonderful strike into the top corner to make it 2-0. Whitchurch sub Wayne Sale pulled a goal back with five minutes to go, however, before the restart Fleet were reduced to ten men as Dan Sleet was dismissed for kicking the ball away, having already been booked, but Whitchurch were unable to get an equaliser.

Sale’s late show should earn him a place in the squad for tommorow’s trip to Petersfield. Midfielder Luke Walker is also set to return, but Childs is still ruled out this weekend. Talking ahead of that game, Drury said: “We beat them 8-0 at our place, so I am not expecting a friendly welcome when we get down there.” Petersfield are currently sixth in the table, having won four of their last five league start, their latest victory being 4-0 over Shaftesbury at the weekend.