Match Report

Positive Performance Leaves Guild With No Points

On Saturday we travelled to Swanmead in Tonbridge. After having a complete nightmare all week with injuries which left me with as much hair as an egg, we performed very well against an established Tonbridge side. This week Roots and Stevens were the notable injured absentees from the previous week to go along with the injured Williams J, Williams L, Perkins, Koutsoudis, Abbot and the unavailable Judge, Cleaver B and McKeown. With so many players out, especially attacking options, it was always going to be a difficult match although we did have a team capable of nicking the points although we did lack goals.

The game started well for Farnborough and we dominated the game with some fluid passing movement. The back four looking organised and comfortable, the midfield was in control and the forwards were working hard and holding the ball up nicely. In return, Tonbridge were defending well but had little coming forward.

On their first attack of the half on 30 mins, Invicta took the lead following a good strike which hit the post. Emery reacted first to the second ball and got his just rewards. Once again, the Guild did not respond to the second ball and we got punished.

The remainder of the half was played out with the Guild in control.

The second half started and within 10 minutes Invicta thought they had made the game safe when an excellent save from St John in the Guild goal was followed up by the ever alert Emery who again reacted first to the second ball and again got his just rewards. Once again, the Guild did not respond to the second ball and we again got punished. When will we learn?

At this point we could have given up the ghost because football is a cruel game at times. We were playing very well, but somehow losing 2-0 which can be disheartening. Gibbs was replaced by Nethercot. However, we knuckled down and continued to play some decent football and earned a glimmer of hope when Selmes got into the box following a set piece and finished well.

This gave the Guild a much needed lift but time was against us and although we rallied well we failed to find the equaliser and came away with an unrewarding zero points.

Overall, I was disappointed with the result and felt that we should have got the victory. We will play a lot worse than this and win. The lack of goal scoring players was evident though and had no killer pace. The performance was a positive one and we kept and passed the ball really well. There was plenty of movement and options and we worked either flank very well.

Selmes nicked Man of the Match picking up the majority of votes. Selmes was strong and competitive in midfield and supported the front two when necessary. Driving into the box, earned him his goal and I believe that Selmes will nick a number of goals this season doing just that.

Next week we have a break from the league and have Borough in the Cup and maybe have one or two faces back from injury. We drew with Borough in a preseason game and we must look to beat them by two or more goals or I will have to buy beer for their manager, which I will not be happy about at all because I’m ridiculously tight and want to see Nick Davey’s moth collection emerge from his wallet!

Farnborough: 1. St John (GK); 2. Warren (RB); 3. Cleaver (LB); 4. Davis (CB); 5. Eales (CB); 6. Cooke R (CM); 7. Small (RM); 8. Selmes (CM); 9. Gibbs (CF) (12. Nethercot); 10. Cooke J (CF); 11. Graham (LM)
Subs Not Used: 14. Keddle