Match Report

Two Goal Cushion Blown Apart by Gas

Saturday saw the Guild fold in the last twenty minutes to their third home defeat of this campaign and leave ourselves with only 5th place to play for.

With Abbott & Cleaver L away and Williams L injured, the Guild went into this fixture knowing that the Gas were a decent side and took us apart down at their place back in September. However, the Guild were keen to make amends for that day and got off to an excellent start when Cooke J netted from a close range volley to put us ahead. It was a sweeping move by the Guild which deserved to be finished by the team’s top scorer.

One up could have changed to two up inside ten minutes when the industrious Cooke held and then laid the ball back to Perkins who skewed his effort high and wide, when the target was beginning to be hit. Within the opening exchanges it certainly looked as though it was all Farnborough.

However, as the half went on, Metrogas grew in confidence and came more and more into the game, working Hawkes on a number of occasions, who responded well with a number of decent stops. It looked as though we may pay for not finding that second early goal.

At the half the Guild looked reasonable but Metrogas had fought their way back into the tie. At the half we expressed the importance of a second goal and the need to up the tempo and keep working hard.

The second half started and the Gas came at us looking for an early equaliser but again Hawkes came to our rescue and poor finishing from Maloney only found the Guild upright.

Against the run of play, the Guild doubled their advantage when Perkins powered home a header down and into the corner from an outstanding Stevens corner.

Selmes replaced Piper.

With twenty five minutes left, the Gas earned a dubious free kick just outside the box which Barry powered home into the top corner leaving Hawkes with absolutely no chance – a stunning free kick.

Thompson replaced Stevens for his first team debut.

The goal gave Metrogas even more impetus and although still leading, it appeared to deflate the Guild and we quickly conceded a second when Bumstead crept into the box unmarked and finished past Hawkes after some hesitant defending.

Jones replaced Eales.

After the second goal it appeared as though there would only be one winner and the nail in our coffin was delivered when the lively Barry found space in the box, cut inside on his left foot and buried his effort into the corner. The Gas celebrated like it was a cup final before the final two minutes were played out to no effect.

The Guild were left disappointed with both result and performance and knew that they had not quite worked hard enough for any points yet alone three. In my opinion the better side on the day won although there was not a great deal in it. I rate Metrogas and believe that they should not be where they are in the league, but we have come a long way and strengthened greatly since our 5-2 crushing earlier in the season.

Tactically, I think I should have changed it earlier so there are also learning points for the management as well as the players, but again we blooded new and returning talent which again will only bode well for the future of the club.

Man of the match was Perkins for a formidable performance in the centre of the park and a great goal to match, followed by Hawkes who kept us in it at times with decent stops and a great improvement in his kicking.

Farnborough: 1. Hawkes; 2. Warren; 3. Eales; 4. Piper; 5. Davis; 6. Judge; 7. Williams J; 8. Perkins; 9. Stevens; 10. Cooke J; 11. Cleaver B

Subs: 12. Jones for 3. Eales; 15. Selmes for 4. Piper; 16. Thompson for 9. Stevens

Metrogas: 1. Cahill; 2. Murphy; 3. Chaney; 4. Bumstead; 5. Fuller; 6. Healey; 7. Hitchin; 8. Forster; 9. Maloney; 10. Radley; 11. Barry

Subs: 14. Heather; 15. Ash