Match Report

After a couple of successive heavy defeats Des’s team rose from the ashes and achieved a morale boosting victory against a determined Crofton Albion side.

The omens didn’t look good when Steve Viner was forced to take up position between the sticks after some confusion as to whether our keeper Ivor Swatton would arrive.

The game kicked off under dark skies and sleeting rain and as the team was still learning each others'' names we were one down in about 10 minutes.

Thankfully instead of sparking the usual capitulation the team became stronger and equalised soon after with a penalty taken by Paul Burford after a foul in their area. Galvanized by this we went looking for the lead playing into the wind in the first half and managed that with a goal from Christian Boyce after some good work by Lee Cross and Matt Gardiner.

The half finished with us 2-1 to the good. The defence of Mark Friend, Captain Steve Blanchard, Paul Burford and young debutant Marvin Sinclair (MoM) deserved praise for sticking to their defensive duties against both Crofton and the elements so well done boys!

The 2nd half saw us attacking very well and soon we were 3-1 up with a goal by Matt Gardiner who worked tirelessly all game and only swore at himself once! Lee Cross on the right was making some intelligent runs and created space for those around him. We were pegged back to 3-2 as Crofton converted their penalty but as they threw bodies forward so gaps were left at the back and we were able to score 2 more from myself and sub Chris Edwards.

Des and all the team deserve great credit for sticking to the matter at hand after a disappointing few weeks and it just shows that no matter what the score the key element to remember is that it is a team game and we either win or lose together and give everything we have for Farnborough for those 90 minutes.

A last thank you to Couch for not only supporting the boys but also running the line in the cold and rain for the 2nd half! Cheers!