United boss Paul Hughes gave a debut to front runner Andrew Ofosu in a change of formation which saw him in a forward three with Rohdell Gordon and Ismael Ehui, as well as Roman Vine playing just behind them. It took him just six minutes to make an impact, collecting Gordon's pass before cutting the ball back to Phil Appiah who stroked the ball into the bottom corner from outside the area.
After the frenetic start, the match settled down except for a weak effort from an off balance Vine which Fleet keeper Liam Beech easily fielded. The same player then attempted to turn in Gordon's low corner at the near post but couldn't quite wrap his foot around the ball enough to divert it on target. Fleet responded when good work from Bradley Wilson on the left flank led to his far post cross which Nick Sowden fired on the half volley but Orlando Rodrigues was able to clear.
After a spell of play which saw United under pressure deep in their own half, Spyros Mentis took command and found Gordon who burst forward impressively before firing over. Not long afterwards, Ehui curled an effort from the edge of the area wide of the right hand post. However, Fleet also went close when a corner kick into a crowded box fell to Wilson, whose goalbound volley was blocked.
As half time approached, Ehui headed Vine's centre wide and after good skill from Gordon to create space on the edge of the area, he squared for Mentis who shot straight at Beech.
Hughes made a substitution at the break, bringing on Frankie Jones for Phil Appiah, and Jones quickly got involved, finding Vine who cut in from the right and fired a rising shot goalwards, which Beech tipped around the post. At the other end, Jack Smith was alert enough to charge down Francois Gabbidon's low shot after a superb throughball by Sowden picked him out.
In the 57th minute, United almost scored when Vine set Tommy Cooney up to cross from the left and his low centre was turned over his own crossbar by Owen Cummings under pressure from Ismael Ehui. From the resulting corner, Gordon's cross was met by Mentis perfectly on the run at the near post and he powerfully headed the ball in to make it 2-0.
Ten minutes later, United stretched their lead further when Ofosu latched onto Cooney's ball out of defence and turned his man before running directly at goal and finishing smartly past the exposed Beech.
United kept the pressure up as Jones had a fierce long range shot blocked by Cummings. However, Fleet earned two corners in a row and could've scored from either as Harly Wise blocked Jack Baines's shot and Greg Haydon flashed a header across goal and wide.
However, United thoroughly deserved the win and almost added to their tally in the latter stages as Beech parried a Gordon free kick, Gordon then hit the inside of the post from an acute angle and he also hit a powerful drive which Beech did well to parry.
Manny Duku was also denied by Beech twice as he blocked his lob and gathered in a low shot from the edge of the area. There was also time for Fleet to come close to a consolation as Gabbidon headed wide from close range.
Report by Nick Bell.
Photos by Ray Peploe.
United Man of the Match:
Rohdell Gordon.
Print the Teamsheet: Here.
Carl Garstang 
