Chipstead were unable to halt Fleet Town’s early season progress at the top of the table, as they lost 3-1 away in their latest match in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division South on Saturday afternoon

They did hold their own in a competitive first half-hour, with Diego Munoz busy down the left early on, but they had to thank keeper Jacob Bennett for preventing the home side from taking the lead, as he saved with his feet in a one-on-one situation

But three goals for the home side before the break then knocked the stuffing out of the visitors - Fleet’s no. 3 cut in from the left & fired across Bennett to put them 1-0 up on 33 minutes - four minutes later, it was 2-0, as a cross from their right saw Fleet’s no. 18 finish from close range - just before the break, a cross from their left was turned in by their no. 19, leaving Chips a mountain to climb

Yet they got a lifeline after 50 minutes, as Edd Mbango & Reece Deakin combined to send Abioseh Davies in on goal, but he was taken down in the box, Deakin made no mistake from the penalty spot and it was 3-1

Munoz was quickly free down the left, but couldn’t capitalise, or the improbable comeback might have been on - however, their substitutes couldn’t help conjure up any more goals - Deakin shot from distance, the ball bounced awkwardly for the keeper, but he recovered, with sub Leo Finch ready to pounce

In added time, more good work by Deakin saw sub Zakaria Saidi’s shot saved, but the points had gone, & Chipstead ended the day in 16th position in the early league table, ahead of next Saturday’s home game v. Alton