Match Report

Bad Breath Barry Breaks Brom Boys

Farnborough continued their good recent form with an impressive victory over a decent Bromleians outfit to push themselves up to 8th place.

With probably the strongest squad we have had this season we took the very short trip to Scrubs Farm. Broms had only lost this season to the high flying Belvedere by the odd goal and to the in-form Bridon, so yet again we new it would be a tough encounter.

Pretty much from the kick off Farnborough started the brighter side with plenty of the ball and were camped for large periods of the game inside Broms'' half, the only real attacking danger coming from the tricky winger, Wheeler who was very dangerous with the ball at his feet.

The Guild was playing some excellent possession football with Perkins and Cooke R in the middle really dominating proceedings. However, the dominance and good possession play found no way through the stubborn and organised Broms defence and the Guild was limited to a few chances and a few speculative efforts. Broms however, rarely troubled St John in the Guild goal.

At the half we spoke about maintaining our good football and the goal will come with time. However, after the re-start, Broms had their best spell of the game which culminated in McKenzie shooting from around 25 yards. The shot eluded the arms of St John and into the corner of the net. It was not a bad strike, but St John will always feel that it was a shot that he could have saved. Completely against the run of play, Broms had taken the lead.

This disappointing blow could have affected our attitude as we were playing so well and fell behind to a sucker punch. However, we really upped our game and responded to the challenge. Williams, J replaced Small at right midfield to play his first game of the season after recovering from a broken arm. The substitution made a clear difference and the pace of Williams was causing problems and causing the resolute Broms defence to stretch.

Within a few minutes a ball in from the right was met by the forehead of Perkins who emphatically finished drawing us level. The goal really pushed us on and 10 minutes later we took the lead when a free kick from Davis was poorly palmed away by O’Hara in the Broms goal leaving the returning Cleaver B to follow up and finish from close range. 2-1 and a lead we thoroughly deserved.

Nethercot replaced Cleaver B and Graham replaced Williams L.

The remainder of the fixture was played out with Broms not really causing a threat and with the Guild having the better of the chances.

The ref managed to find 6 minutes of injury time, but the Guild held on convincingly for the win and bag maximum points.

For the Guild it was a terrific game of football; excellent preparation, lots of possession, some excellent passages of play, a real hunger throughout the team and we thoroughly deserved the points. Broms defended very well and that’s where their strengths lay, with two very good wingers who are excellent outlets. Broms are a good solid side, have a never say die attitude and always battle to the end.

Man of the match for the Guild was the excellent Perkins who has shaken off an annoying pre-season injury to get back to full fitness. A controlled and mobile display capped off by an excellent headed goal, aided heavily by his rather large ‘hills have eyes’ brow! (That’s what you get for ‘Ray Wilkins-ing me off’). Well done Mr Perkins.

Special mention to both the referee and the hosts for an excellent game played in excellent spirit using excellent facilities.

This week we have Westerham in the second round of the Cup. Westerham have had a few problems of late which look to have ironed themselves out with a good display against Bridon, so we must be at our best. This victory should give us even more confidence and we must look to take this good form into next week''s game and turn up in the same frame of mind with good preparation and that hunger to win.

See you ALL at training, attendance will define selection.