Match Report

Guild Held By Resilient Hawks

On Bank Holiday Monday, the Guild was held to a one-all draw by lowly Hawkhurst. By already guaranteeing their divisional security in their previous fixture against Westerham, there was little for them to play for in this fixture. The Guild however, desperately wants to cling onto the respectable fifth position.

The Guild resorted back to their 4-4-2 formation with the ‘Keddle Kids’ playing a large part in the starting line up. Indeed six of the players on show were aged eighteen or under, with four seventeen year-olds and a sixteen year-old in the shape of Ricky Stevens, who deservedly won man of the match.

The first half started pretty evenly, but the Guild got more and more into the game as it went on. However, there was a severe lack of goal action at either end and the game had a very ‘end-of-season’ feel to it without either side going for the kill.

At the half Judge replaced Fullone.

The second half was a livelier affair with the Guild dominating possession and chances as the game started to open up.

The breakthrough came twenty minutes into the half when an intended cross flighted over the head of Mitchell and into the net. Lucky? Yes, but It was the least we deserved for all our dominance. After the goal we continued to keep the ball and it just seemed to be a matter of time before we would score again, but chance after chance went begging and when Mitchell pulled off an outstanding save on Williams J, you kind of got that feeling that the Hawks might nick one at the other end.

That feeling became reality when Bolton headed home from close range with 15 minutes to go, after poor defending that lacked concentration.

Despite our best efforts, we could not gain any advantage at the other end and the game ended as a draw.

The Hawks appeared happy with a point and the Guild was left disappointed. However, sometimes we are our own worst enemies as we failed to kill the game off early doors, despite chances to do so.

Despite the disappointing draw, there are many positives to take from this game. The youngsters all showed that they can play, compete and dominate teams in this division. Hawkhurst are a big, experienced side who play to their strengths. We have exposed them to some valuable playing time which should pay benefits in the very near future and provide the necessary confidence that is valuable at this level.

As stated early, 16 year-old Stevens impressed in the middle of the park and was full of running in both directions. He also possesses the ability to keep the ball well and showed a wonderful array of passing. Well done Ricky Stevens.

Mark Abbott in the middle also had a solid game, battling and competing as well as ever, providing us with a good base to work from.

This coming week we have Belvedere in our (and their) last game of the season. At the beginning of the season we were caught cold against them and completely embarrassed by the 'Deres and we must look to overcome and reverse that result.

Today we played ‘OK’ but lacked that killer instinct and final ball. On Saturday we must up our game and become more ruthless in execution of our football. Let's end the season on a high.

Don’t forget the night out down the Dogs (and that’s not Bibas or Jazzmingers!).

Farnborough: 1. Hawkes; 2. Warren; 3. Eales; 4. Fullone; 5. Davis; 6. Abbott; 7. Piper; 8. Stevens; 9. Williams J; 10. Thompson; 11. Cleaver B

Subs: 12. Judge for 4. Fullone; 15. Cooke R for 2. Warren

Sub not Used: Williams L

Hawkhurst United: 1. Mitchell; 2. Bolton; 3. Hickmott; 4. Bull; 5. Jackson; 6. Sands; 7. Norman; 8. Sands; 9. Burrows; 10. Burton; 11. Miles

Subs: 12. Channer