This was a disappointing performance by Spurs following their excellent midweek cup display at Cobham. They started with the same eleven as in the Cobham game, but very soon came under intense pressure from Borough, who allowed them no time on the ball. This led to them giving the ball away unnecessarily on a number of occasions, often in dangerous areas of the pitch. Worse was to come as the game developed, when Jack Church had to leave the field in the 15th minute after a painful blow on the ankle. Only a number of splendid saves by Mike Cadle kept the score sheet blank. After 27 minutes, even he could do nothing to prevent Kensington’s top scorer Walid Hirsi from giving his side the lead with a fine curling shot past his right hand and into the top corner of the net. This was a very well-taken goal, though the home defence were guilty of standing off and giving Hirsi enough room to get a shot away. Striker Andre Smith came closest to a goal for Fleet when he rattled visiting keeper Hossam Hassan’s crossbar with a powerful drive from well outside the area. Immediately after this, in the 35th minute, Jamil Olweny had to leave the pitch with an injured hamstring. The visitors continued to dominate play, but more fine saves by Cadle kept the score at 0-1 at the break, which certainly didn’t flatter Borough.

As the second half started, Spurs came more into the game, pressing Kensington much harder and preventing them from establishing any rhythm. However after 60 minutes, another save by Cadle turned the ball into what seemed a safe position near the goal line, but Hirsi was able to turn the ball cleverly back across the goal and Jabir Laraba hammered the ball home from close range. Fleet continued to have their fair share of the play without causing many problems for the visitors’ defence, but eventually gained their due reward when Andre Smith picked up a loose clearance from the Borough defence and smashed the ball past the helpless keeper. Despite considerable pressure over the last few minutes by the Hampshire team, they were unable to trouble Hassan again and the game finished with a well-deserved victory for Borough.

Spurs remain in 13th place in the table. Their next game is on Saturday when they entertain Chessington & Hook United (Kennels Lane – kick-off 3.00). They hope that the number of injured players, which is now approaching 10, will be considerably reduced by then.

Spurs team: Mike Cadle, Doug Noble, Liam Jupp, Kay Hampson, Jamil Saleh, Jack Church (sub Billy Ludlow 14), Lee Bush (sub Rob Parrott 80), Jake Bellmaine, Jamil Olweny (sub Matt Hayler 34), Adam Bellmaine (capt), Andre Smith