Match Report

Jack Standen Cup

I was told prior to the game that there were plenty of old Farnborough players and two current ones in the opposition line up (Sam Small & Jumbo). Pre-warned we expected that they would want to give us a tough game and be ‘up’ for it. We played at the London Marathon playing fields again for the 2nd week running and as commented before, the surface is superb.

We went into the game unchanged from last week, with different names on the subs bench. Again we looked sharp early doors, our pace and trickery was too much for the opposition who dished out some rather unnecessary punishment, especially on Wray and Belchamber. We took the lead early when Georgeson flicked the ball on for Webb to race through and score. We had the better of the opening exchanges and it was no surprise when Wray cut inside and delivered a left foot cross for Webb to head in his second. The Wood came back at us but mainly had chances from distance. We looked very casual and basically made our own problems by playing too much football in our own danger areas. We got to half time 2-0 up.

The Wood were doing their best to knock us out of our stride and the game looked out of their reach when Webb finished to give him a hat-trick and make it 3-0. Then we all got our casual heads on and stopped playing. Although The Wood''s players were finding it hard to maintain the pace in the hot sunshine we gifted them a goal and then just minutes later, they scored another from a decent right wing cross which was headed smartly into our goal. 2-3 now and we started to look a bit uncomfortable.

We carried on knocking the ball around and passing well and I think it told on the opposition’s older legs. Hussein went through and cleverly rounded the keeper to make it 4-2 and again we were thinking – ‘relax don’t do anything stupid.’ Too late – conceded a penalty. Poynter made the challenge and I still think he got the ball first, then the player. They scored and it kept them in it. However, Wray left his marker for dead down the right and crossed precisely for Webb to notch his fourth with a fine header. This time it really was over and there was still time for Webb to tee up Wray to score a sixth but the referee (not their lino!) gave offside. In the end the right result but we gave ourselves the problems, not the opposition.

We have to learn quickly from the last two games. Don’t get above yourselves and too casual. Don’t over play it in our own third, look to spread the play rather than the longer ‘killer’ ball forward over the top and work harder at keeping the ball.

Man of the match, need I tell you, Billy Webb. 4 goals and all very good finishes. Well done Billy, good job you didn’t sell those boots on Ebay after all!!