Match Report

This game took place in the middle of one of the worst storms I’ve ever seen during a football match. The weather in the week leading up to the game was full of rain and although Saturday bought some relief the surface at Catford Cricket Club soon cut up and transformed into a mud bath rapidly. This obviously meant that true footballing qualities were few and far between and difficult to pull off in such conditions. This was added to the fact that both teams have been suffering poor form of late, ourselves having lost our previous 4 matches. A win was vital against a team in our half of the table and to get back to winning ways.
The game was very evenly contested and there was nothing to choose between the two teams and little activity in terms of goal scoring opportunities in the 1st half. However Sports shaded it kicking with the wind and down the slightly sloping pitch. They duly took the lead just a few minutes before half time with a well worked goal. Crossed from the right flank their player met it with a full blooded header which gave Burkett no chance. So 1-0 down at half time and not really playing as well as we can, probably lacking a bit of confidence.
Just after the start of the 2nd half the weather deteriorated very badly. The ref took the players off the field threatening abandonment if it continued. After 10 minutes the heavy rain passed and the players re-appeared from the changing rooms, Farnborough emerged from the break with greater purpose, there was a massive roar of intent as we left the changing rooms again which bucked up everyone. And it showed on the pitch. We actually started playing some football on this treacherous surface. Wray was seeing a lot of the ball down the right flank and Stevens and O’Donoghue had greater control of the midfield. Holmes and Vurnum were linking well upfront. Holmes equalised after his shot hit the post and rolled across the line, Sports claimed the ball hadn’t crossed the line but their lino signalled goal. Well played lino. 10 minutes later we had a second. Wray shot inside the box with the outside of his right foot and the keeper appeared to have saved it however the wet, muddy ball escaped his grasp and rolled into the net. Wray had another effort cleared off the line, Murphy failed to score following up Vurnum’s free kick and Fryer was unlucky after a lovely move involving Murphy and Holmes. The defence was never really in trouble and the whole unit looked confident and assured.
So that’s how it finished. A very welcome 2-1 victory, back to winning ways and a real confidence boost. We have to concentrate on picking up as many points possible to improve our league position, there’s more to come from this team, of that I’m sure, I hope this is the start of an improved run of form.
Message to any players reading this report, please note ; If you do not attend training or a match and you fail to call Darren with an explanation in good time, don’t expect to keep your place in the team, you will probably be dropped, remember we have 18 players in the squad and only 16 are allowed to be picked for a match. Please remember this lads, you have been warned.