Farnborough OBG FC

Match Report

Sunday 20th November 2011

Friendly

Inter Vyagra Vets
1 - 5
Vets
Simon Davies 2, Richard Cooke 2, Jason Miller

By Gary Rosslee

Farnborough made their journey to Shootershillians Rugby FC with their game against Inter Vyagra nearly in doubt due to some very thick fog / mist that had descended into the SE3 area that morning. Thankfully on arrival to the ground the weather did clear up slightly to reveal a very large slightly uneven pitch that was clearly preferred for egg chasing than football but if you asked both teams they would have just been grateful for the fixture to go ahead. However the hosts seemed much more prepared for the Sunday morning elements than their visitors and proof of this was evident in their luminous shirts (complete with nicknames on the back, ah bless) and a bright yellow match ball.

Farnborough lined up and kicked uphill first half as follows.

Gary Rosslee – GK
Matt Wright – LB
Paul Bailey – CB
Andy Cobham – CB
Richard Davies – RB
Neil Connelly – LM
Jim St John – CM
Richard Cooke – CM
Jason Miller – RM
Simon Davies - CF
Pete Harvey – CF

Subs

Rowan Foggit
Simon Hunt
Paul Brett

Farnborough also had some support on the touchline in the shape of Grant Gable and Paul Tanton, who were both coincidently nursing wrist injuries, Grant having recently undergone an operation for carpal tunnel syndrome whereas Paul’s was definitely more of a mystery injury which came on in the week his girlfriend had been away on holiday, Hmmm??

Farnborough nearly found themselves a goal down in the opening minutes after some good play out on the right wing by the Vyagra player who you could say was more James Bond than Billy Bonds also he was sporting a shirt with the number 007 on the back and he whipped a ball in low and hard which was met on the volley by their forward albeit slightly behind him. His contact was enough to force Rosslee into an instinctive save low down to his left to receive praise from both sets of players. Farnborough then found themselves under further pressure as they failed to get a grip on the game giving the ball away cheaply and it was only some excellent defensive reading from the back four or the never say die attitude of Jim St John in the middle of the park who seemed to win every header and break up most of the Vyagra play.

As the game went on Farnborough started to enjoy a lot more of the possession and started to find their rhythm and soon broke the deadlock. Jim St John deftly headed the ball down into the feet of the onrushing Richard Cooke who beat the last two men on the edge of the box and smashed the ball home from 12 yards leaving the Vyagra keeper with no chance, the home team felt slightly aggrieved as their protests for offside fell on deaf ears and the goal stood. 0-1 Farnborough Young Vets.

Inter Vyagra somehow levelled the scores with a rather non meaningful attack as their tame shot inside of the penalty area struck the standing foot of Andy Cobham and nestled into the net leaving Rosslee with no chance and it looked like they had done enough to go in a the break all square. Farnborough however had other ideas and soon restored their lead, this time Simon Davies unleashing a stunning effort from outside the penalty area which found the bottom right corner leaving the Vyagra keeper clutching at air. 1-2 Farnborough half time.

Farnborough rung the changes in the second half with all 3 substitutes featuring and it was Paul Brett (sporting brand new white boots I might add) who was on hand to deny Vyagra a well worked equaliser as he blocked a certain goalbound effort on the 6 yard box which was probably more luck than judgement but even so Farnborough remained a goal up. Farnborough then doubled their lead and again it was Richard Cooke who had rediscovered his shooting boots as he shot from a fair distance that took a slight deflection much to the home keeper\'s dismay, 1-3 Farnborough Young Vets.

Farnborough then took their foot off of the gas and nearly let Vyagra back into the game, Rosslee being forced into making two decent saves, one of which was a slightly over the top one handed save that put the defence under more pressure than needed and the other one was cleared off of the line at the second asking by Jason Miller after Rosslee had saved with his legs. This gave Farnborough a kick up the backside and forced them into killing off their stubborn opponents. Simon Hunt had the freedom of the right hand side and played an exquisite ball into the box that was met first time by Jason Miller whose controlled side foot volley was the pick of the goals. 1-4 Farnborough.

Simon Davies then got his second of the match after some excellent work again by Jim St John in the final third and his lay off was met first time by an unstoppable effort that again the Vyagra keeper could not got near to. 1-5 Farnborough. Jim St John then should have added a 6th for Farnborough that would have capped his MOM display but he was unable to trouble the keeper and open his account for the season. The full time whistle went and Farnborough had again proved victorious in South London and notched up two victories in a row for the first time this season.

Next Sunday sees Farnborough away and yet again in the South London area or so it would seem as their oppo are Charlton Rangers Vets, I’m guessing we may need to take a second kit just in case the home team wear red like their name may suggest!!

Man of the match: Jim St John