Match Report

A scoreline not reflecting Farnborough's performance or dominance.

Again changes to the squad due to player unavailability gave others the opportunity to stake their claim for a place in Darren and Vince's strongest squad. Returning to the fray this week were Ben Donaghy and Matt Wilson. There were also 6 positional changes from the previous week's starting XI demonstrating adaptability and strength in depth.

Before the game the Farnborough players took the field with clear instructions to come out of the starting blocks with intent and purpose, and that is exactly what happened. From the very first whistle Farnborough competed for every ball and picked up the majority of the 2nd ball across the middle of the park.

George Burkett in goal was bossing his back line well and all over the field the Farnborough players were working effectively in pairs. The centre halves restricted the opposition to one meaningful attack in the 1st half, the full backs and wide midfielders doubled up in both defence and attack, the centre midfield pair ensured the ball was won and retained and the two strikers were causing the Chelsfield back line havoc. Two/three touch football that we have spoken so much about in previous weeks resulted in Farnborough carving Chelsfield open time and time again, and whilst the half ended goalless Farnborough should have gone in at least 4 goals to the good. Good goalkeeping and wayward finishing meant the game was still there for either side to take. 0-0 at the half.

The second half started and Farnborough didn't quite come out at the same pace. That said, no side dominates for 90 minutes and it was to prove that Chelsfield were to have their best period of the match in the ensuing 15 minutes. It was during this time that Chelsfield took the lead. An excellent effort from fully 25 yards that flew in to the top of the net from the otherwise quiet centre midfielder. A great finish but to be fair avoidable given the time and space afforded to him.

It would have been easy for one of two negative responses to follow. One; Farnborough allow Chelsfield to build upon this undeserved lead or two; for Farnborough to try too hard to get back in to the game and abandon their game plan that had worked so well in all but converted chances. To their credit, neither happened and it was less than ten minutes before the equalizer came courtesy of a cool and composed finish by Giorgio Fullone...who later admitted his attempt to cushion the ball across the goal went wrong...and ended up in the back of the net! At last a bit of luck in front of goal. From there on in there was only going to be one winner and when Ben Donaghy came off of the bench to clinch victory with minutes remaining thanks to a coolly taken effort from the edge of the box, nobody could argue that Farnborough were worthy winners.

A much better performance on last week with every member of the 14 man squad playing their part. With players returning from holidays this week, Darren and Vince have a selection headache of the right kind on their hands.

MOM votes again were fairly well spread, although Jake Adams deservedly walked away with the majority of the votes. Already Jake is showing a maturity that defies his years in his play and has picked up MOM votes every week.

This week is another home league game against a typically dogged and competitive Cudham side. Cudham have played FRSH twice in as many weeks losing in the league but winning in the cup. A tough encounter can be expected.

Todays team: GK - G. Burkett, RB - J. Adams, CB - B. Beesley, CB - G. Fullone, LB - T. Skrine, RM - J. Miller (S. Small), CM - P. Butler, CM - D. Clark, LM - D. Head, CF - J. Ellis (M. Wilson), CF - A. Wray (B. Donaghy)