Match Report

Job done and another three points in the bag.

On a very windy day and on a difficult surface, the Guild bagged maximum points and done wonders for their goal difference on a day where the chasers dropped points.

We approached this game in good form and with confidence high. We were looking to reverse the result of a few weeks back to maintain our position on top of the pile. We started the game well and looked sharp and controlled and created a number of opportunities without really troubling the goalkeeper. I don’t think it was just a case of poor finishing as the bobbly surface made final ball and finishing very challenging. However, we got the initial breakthrough on 30 minutes when Williams, L finished off a fine team move by nutting in a superb opener. For the remainder of the half the game was quite even with Old Bex coming into the game more as the half progressed. Some slack marking allowed Bexleians a couple of opportunities, but nothing to trouble St John in the Guild goal and nothing from close range.

The second half started and we did improve. The wind was in our favour and we started to control the game without the goals coming our way. With 20 mins gone, the game changed completely when a goalbound header was expertly tipped over the bar. Unfortunately for the OB’s the acrobatic save was wearing the number six outfield shirt and not the number one goalkeeper’s shirt. The referee was given no choice and the goalkeeping impersonator was sent off from the field of play. It was a cracking save though…

The penalty as always was converted by Williams, L who tucked it away sending the keeper in the wrong direction and enhancing his goal scoring statistics to a goal-a-game. Following the second goal we kept the ball really well, killing the game off. OB’s dug in and battled hard but were obviously frustrated with things which resulted in the manager being booked and a second player being sent off with 10 minutes left to play. With around 5 minutes left on the clock, Perkins finished off the job with a fine strike taking his tally to 5 goals in 7 games, an excellent return for the talented centre midfielder.

Man of the match was awarded to Cooke, R for a competitive and energetic display in the centre of midfield. Perkins and Williams, L picked up the majority of the remaining votes for decent displays and goals to boot.

In all I was relatively happy. We did not slip into top gear but in difficult weather conditions and a bobbly pitch it was a case of getting the job done and we achieved that aim. We did not want Old Bex completing the double over us this season and really want to push for promotion which is totally in our hands. March is a huge month for us and with three wins on the spin (2 out of 2 in March) we need to keep this run and form going.

This week we are back at home for the first time in a month. We have Meridian who are a competitive side who do not easily concede goals. We only beat them by the slimmest of margins in the first encounter so we have to be on our game and up for the cause. Neither Chipstead nor Hawkhurst have league games so it’s our chance to put more points on the board and leave them chasing. We need all the points, so come prepared and in the right frame of mind and I am confident that we can walk with a decent result.

Farnborough: 1. St John; 2. Pragnell; 3. Cleaver, L; 4. Davis; 5. McKeown; 6. Cooke; 7. Williams, J; 8. Perkins, R; 9. Williams, L; 10. Cooke, J; 11. Cleaver, L
Subs: 12. Warren for 11. Cleaver Subs not used: 14. Small; 15. Mace; 16. Keddlinihio

Old Bexleians: 1. Castle; 2. Godbold; 3. Washbrook; 4. Slatter; 5. Goldhawk; 6.Cochrane; 7. Jeffrey; 8. Jarvis; 9. Bull; 10. Cooper; 11. Moore
Subs: 12. Ford; 14. Jarvis