Match Report

Almost a full squad to choose from; tough decisions were made midweek by the management duo of Darren and Vince. In came three new signings in the form of Sam Clarkson, Anthony Boyle and Dan Freeman-Roach. Fullone was AWOL for not the first time this season.

On to the game. The challenge was clear from the outset. Lessa Albion Reserves were a young side, a side that should have more in the tank than their older counterparts as the game progressed, on what was a sticky and in some areas heavy pitch. The instructions were clear...come out fast, set the tempo and force ourselves and the game on Lessa.

Farnborough made a very strong start dominating possession and creating 2/3 good opportunities in the opening ten minutes. Only the crossbar and a fantastic reaction save from the keeper denied both Farnborough strikers early goals. Despite looking the more likely to take the lead Farnborough went a goal behind when a long throw evaded everyone except a Lessa forward who squeezed the ball past the debutant Clarkson in goal. Not long after, Lessa scored a 2nd when a long ball over the top left the centre forward with just the keeper to beat, which he did with minimal fuss.

2-0 down, but the game was young and Farnborough were still enjoying the majority of the ball. It was now that experience started to tell over youth. Panic buttons were not pressed, Farnborough changed nothing in the way of their game plan and pressed and pressed the opposition. Wray and Wilson in the frontline were causing the Lessa backline no end of problems and it came as no surprise when Small halved the deficit with good follow up play scoring from close range following a save from the Lessa number 1. Within 5 minutes the equalizer came through a Benningfield penalty after Wray was upended in the box. A harsh decision, but what some deem aggressive others deem reckless and the official went with the latter.

2-2 at the half and the team talk replicated that of the pre-match talk in as far as the longer the game went on, the more likely the younger legs of Lessa were likely to play a part.

How wrong could you be. The second half was dominated by Farnborough from start to finish with Lessa restricted to the occasional counter attack. Two more goals followed in the form of a second penalty converted by Benningfield, with Wray again winning the penalty. In the dying stages Freeman-Roach marked his debut with a goal redirecting a Small effort past the keeper.

A strong performance with all 14 in today's squad playing their part. Wray and Wilson were excellent from the start and both desperately unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Votes were picked up by Beesley and Benningfield at the heart of the defence, D Clark in the centre of the park as well as the two forwards. In the end Wray walked away MOM amassing 9 of the votes. Just reward for a tireless display full of endeavour, direct running and defending from the front. His best performance of the season.

This week we entertain the league leaders who have a firm affiliation with Farnborough. A tough encounter to be expected but one that we are more than capable of collecting 3 points from. A strong team spirit has developed within the dressing room and saw us through for not the first time this season. We will need to call on that again no doubt this week, so be up for it, be on time and be up for causing a shock.

Team: GK - S. Clarkson, RB - J. Adams (A Boyle), CB - B. Beesley, CB - A. Benningfield, LB - T. Skrine, RM - S. Small, CM - P. Butler (D. Freeman-Roach), CM - D. Clark, LM - M. Clark (B. Donaghey), CF - M. Wilson, CF - A. Wray