Match Report

Williams Brace Puts the Guild in Sixth Place

‘You can polish a turd!’ Last week's abysmal performance against Bridon Ropes was well and truly forgotten as the Guild walked away from FKG Sports with a well deserved three points.

The game started well for the Guild who were kicking into the strong wind. After 5 minutes we found ourselves 1-0 up after a good ball in from the left found an unmarked Cleaver B at the back post to convert from close range. The goal sparked Tudor into a response with Sansom failing to convert a similar chance when it seemed easier to score. Five minutes later a half chance fell to Mahoney but the striker saw his effort sail over the bar. On 25 minutes Tudor levelled after a cross that was not pressured was met by the head of McTaggart who converted from close range. The half finished with Tudor the stronger side, but Farnborough were working hard at Tudor’s heel and were always dangerous on the break.

At the half we knew we had done the hard work. However, it was no time to be complacent and we knew the wind would favour us as the game went on. We knew that we could keep up the same work rate, but needed to up the tempo a bit to take advantage of some of the pace that we had in the side.

The second half started and it was all Farnborough. 10 minutes gone and Williams L smashed an unstoppable left footed effort into the far stanchion after good team play high up the pitch. A truly stunning strike. Five minutes later and another wonder goal by the aforementioned striker gave us a two goal lead; a header was well won by Cooke J who flicked it onto Williams L who smashed it first time into the roof of the net, another great strike.

17-year-old debutant Piper replaced Cleaver B who had worked himself into the ground.

With 15 minutes left on the clock the Guild were awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Davis stepped up and got the ball up and over the wall, underneath the crossbar and into the back of the net, leaving the keeper helpless.

With about 15 minutes still to play Tudor stepped up their game and changed their formation to try and get back into the game. However, the Guild’s defence was having none of it and remained strong with the partnership of Davis and the 17- year-old Fullone having the upper hand. In the middle of the park Abbott was like a hungry dog with ball being bone and Perkins caused problems all afternoon. Down the flanks, Stevens and Eales had a quiet first half but sprung into action in the second period of play and are forming a reliable, balanced partnership. Down the right Warren and Cleaver B worked tirelessly and were a constant thorn in Tudor’s side. Upfront Williams L and Cooke J were working hard to pressure the defence and worked closer together as the game went on.

Ten to go and Stevens was replaced by Small.

With two minutes to go Edwards pulled off a great stop to deny Tudor clawing anything back.

With a minute to go, substitute keeper Hawkes who was still recovering from a broken hand replaced the injured Williams L who could not continue.

The final whistle went to signify a 4-1 win for the Guild.

Man of the match this week was really tough for all the right reasons. Manager’s man of the match was Mark Abbott who personified everything that I wanted from today’s game. He was dogged and determined and hunted down everything in midfield. He gave us the basis to work from and pressurised Tudor into uncharacteristic mistakes. Davis also had his best game of the season so far and is bursting at the seams to let Judge know all about it on Tuesday night (providing he shows up that is!). Fullone came in to make his starting debut and played way, way above his years and Williams L upfront worked real hard for the team and scored two cracking goals signifying his return from Oz.

Player’s man of the match also went to Abbott.

Last week I wrote: ‘Today we were taught a lesson and we need to apply what we have learned. The only positive thing to take away from this is that we will never play this badly again. Taking a beating like this can sometimes give us the kick up the backside that we need, but we have to respond positively’.

Today we did just that. We have beaten a really good side that we have never beaten before. Everyone knows that you always get a tough game at Tudor and this was no different. We responded positively by changing our attitude and applied the lessons that Bridon taught us by hunting the ball down and working harder off the ball. Last week's kick up the backside fired us into a response and respond we did. We created chances, worked hard, worked in pairs and tightened things up. In many ways it was one of the performances of the season and certainly shows us what we can do when our attitude is right and our commitment is 100%.

A quick mention to the referee Peter Gill who was outstanding throughout this fixture. He talked to players throughout the game, tried to keep his card in his pocket as often as he could and was approachable throughout the fixture. Excellent refereeing for one so young and has a decent future in the game.

This was an excellent result and performance and exactly the ‘bouncebackability’ that was required. Well done everyone. Let’s bring forwards these same principles into this week’s game at Crockenhill.

Farnborough: 1. Edwards; 2. Warren; 3. Maloney; Eales; 4. Fullone; 5. Davis; 6. Abbott; 7. Cleaver B; 8. Perkins; 9. Williams L; 10. Cooke J; 11. Stevens;

Subs: 12. Small for 11. Stevens; 15. Piper for 7. Cleaver B; 16. Hawkes for 9. Williams L

Tudor Sports: 1. Bradley; 2. Garside; 3. Maloney; 4. Cohen; 5. Allmond; 6. Butler©; 7. Beever; 8. Rowe; 9. Mc Taggart; 10. Mahoney; 11. Sansom

Subs: 12. Gill; 14.Howarth