Match Report

Our performance today was a complete contrast to most of our other efforts this season, we fully deserved the three points and put in a thoroughly competent display. Our attitude, character and team spirit were there for all to see and it impacted on our play. We got off to a good start regularly threatening the Wickham goal, Jarvis was taking control in the centre of midfield and Philby and Fullone combined well with regularity to keep the Wickham rearguard busy. We took a deserved lead when Pragnell popped up in the opposition’s box to finish from close range. Other opportunities opened up for us but we couldn’t make the most of them. The 1st half was completely dominated by Farnborough, the only response from Wickham was a long range lob which caused a bit of confusion in defence and that was all they offered.

The 2nd half was only minutes old when Fullone made it 2-0, with a fierce drive across goal, from the right hand side of the box, the ball slammed into the top left corner leaving the Wickham keeper helpless. Steward saw more of the ball down the left flank in the 2nd half and proved to be more than a handful for their defenders, he surely was getting ready for Fullone to tee him up when through again, Fullone chose the shoot instead of pass option, but this time it went wide, Steward was left scratching his head! Again other openings came and went and we couldn’t add to our lead. Wickham’s strikers were well marshalled by Poynter and Laurent, both making their debuts, who had them well under control and their attackers never genuinely troubled our goal. I hope Poynter and Laurent will be around for the long term because we looked very solid with them at the back.

Everyone worked hard for each other today and put in a decent performance, we’ve had some bad luck so far this season, so maybe the worm has turned. Make no mistake this result was not down to good luck, it was down to superior footballing ability. Like I said everyone put in a decent performance but Dan Poynter took the man of the match votes, with an assured performance at the heart of the defence. Now we have to build on today’s result and take the confidence forward into future matches.