Match Report

Following last week's fantastic cup victory, the Guild travelled to the old Co-Op ground, hunting the first three points of the new campaign. The pitch was far, far from ideal which was disappointing to say the least. However, we had come to do a job and we had to get on with it.

The game started quite evenly but after five minutes Tudor started to gain the upper hand. However, against the run of play the Guild took the lead after twenty minutes when Cooke poked home from close range after great work and perseverance down the right hand side by Williams J. However, at the other end Tudor missed a couple of chances to level the scoring notably when McTaggart blazed over from ten yards. Tudor did go level after 30 minutes when Lowes finished from close range after confusion in the Farnborough box. At this point of the match, it was no more than Tudor deserved.

At the half, Tudor were the better side, but there was not a lot in it. The state of the pitch was dictating the play and we decided to be more direct in the second half and push up more in the middle of the park. We also had to be more inventive in the attacking third as we were too predictable, making things easy for the solid Tudor defence.

Wray replaced Stevens.

The second half was a far more positive performance from the Guild as we pushed for the win. We had nullified the attacks of Tudor and started to dominate the play. Perkins and Abbott in the middle were starting to take control and the superior fitness of the Guild was starting to kick in. Two efforts from Wray came close, Hughes narrowly missed the right hand upright and Cooke forced Bradley into an excellent save.

With time running out Elliot replaced Warren and Travers replaced Williams L pushing Perkins further forward.

With four minutes to play the substitution paid off when a great break down the right hand side enabled Hughes to cut inside and cut the Tudor defence wide open with a great through ball which found the clever run of Travers. A great first touch by Travers took the ball out of the reach of the on rushing Bradley and invited the foul. Travers hit the deck and the impeccable Mr. Anekwe quite rightly pointed to the spot. With a fair bit of pressure on him, Cooke coolly dispatched the ball into the corner giving Bradley no chance.

The remainder of the game was played out without incident.

Across the ninety, maybe a draw would have been a fair result but Farnborough ended the game the stronger side. Our perseverance eventually paid off and we worked very hard.

It was not a classic game by any stretch of the imagination. Both teams obviously have big plans for progression and often nullified each other. As a defence and defensive unit Tudor were strong and organised and will not concede many goals this season. However, the old cliché of 'the sign of a good team is not to play well and win' springs to mind. We were also disappointed with our performance which is a good sign but more than pleased with three very good points.

Man of the match was pretty much a two horse race with Jon Cooke nicking it by six votes to five over Mark Abbott.

Abbott put it an unenviable shift full of grit and graft and Cooke really showed his class on the difficult surface. Cooke also netted the two vital goals and was at the centre of all things positive. Well done fellas.

A quick mention to the referee Val Anekwe who was superb throughout and the league should really look to progress a referee of this obvious calibre.

This is a great start to our season and the squad looks so strong. This is a great three points against very decent, well organized opposition. We must remain positive, patient and together and I am sure that the results will follow. Chipstead at home this week and we need to continue the good form if we want to take all three points.



Farnborough: 1. Mumford; 2. Warren; 3. Davis; 4. Judge; 5. Hughes; 6. Abbott; 7. Williams J; 8. Perkins; 9. Williams L; 10. Cooke; 11. Stevens;
Subs: 2. Warren for 12. Elliot; 9. Williams L for 13. Travers; 11. Stevens for 15. Wray;
Subs not used: 14. Kendall and 16. Hawkes

Tudor Sports: 1. Bradley; 2. Scott; 3. Dill; 4. Cohen; 5. Beever; 6. Harris; 7. Powley; 8. Rowe; 9. Lowes; 20 McTaggart; 11. Gill
Subs: 10. Stephenson; 12. Greatley; 14. Speed

Referee: Mr. Val Anekwe