Match Report

Once more with a strong squad at their disposal Darren and Vince faced selection headaches of a good kind. The only difference in the squad was Miller returning in place of Beesley

This week Farnborough played hosts to the top of the table The Blues. At this stage of the season league tables don't lie, and The Blues went in to this game unbeaten in division one. The challenge facing Farnborough would be similar to last week in as far as they would face a younger, fitter side, however today's opposition would be technically better.

There was of course a team talk although little was needed in the way of motivation. The Blues have a host of players that play on Saturdays at the club and have one or two inflated egos to boot. Enough said.

The match started and despite the sustained poor weather over recent months, the surface was very good. There was little to no wind therefore making conditions pretty much perfect for the time of year. Farnborough set about the opposition early, squeezing them all over the field forcing errors and laying down the marker that we fancied our chances of walking away with something from the encounter.

Deservedly Farnborough took the lead when Donaghey crossed near post only for the very self confident Elliott to put the ball past his own keeper. The lead didn't last long when The Blues centre forward capitalised from a communication error between centre half and goalkeeper. Farnborough took the lead again not long after with Elliott again proving instrumental. This time his indecision allowed Wilson to score from close range. 2-1 at the half although it could have been 3, Wray dispossessing Elliott, who looked to be trying too hard, leaving himself one on one with the keeper. The Blues no. 1 did enough forcing Wray wide.

The second half came and started at a slow pace with neither side really coming out. The Blues swapped their wide players which should be seen as a compliment to both Farnborough full backs. After approximately an hour M Clark scored Farnborough's third with a cross come shot that found the top corner. Injuries forced two changes in the Farnborough ranks in quick succession.

Unfortunately Farnborough were unable to hold on to the three points they deserved. The Blues fought to the bitter end and walked away with a point they surely had to be happy with courteous of goals from Dunne and a second from the lively Ivory.

Before the game started I think most affiliated to Farnborough Sunday XI would have been happy with a point, but come the final whistle the home side were rightly a little disappointed.

Excellent examples were set across the pitch. Like last week Wilson and Wray led from the front causing all sorts of troubles. Out wide M Clark and Donaghey prevented The Blues full backs offering any attacking options and delivered well consistently. Butler and D Clark in the middle fought and won their battles and the backline of Adams, Boyle, Benningfield and Skrine stood up well to the test of a side that score for fun. Clarkson in goal put in another mature performance that defies his age and his distribution was excellent. Miller and Freeman-Roach adjusted to the game quickly...not always easy to do when joining a high tempo game.

MOM this week was Butler. Tireless as ever, Pete really grows in to games and when others tire around him he seems to get stronger and more dominant. When you consider that the combined age of Farnborough's centre midfield was 63 and The Blues was 36 it's impressive. Made even more so when you look at the fact that Pete's partner in centre midfield is me!

This week we face Otford Colts. A decent footballing side who like us, seem to raise their game against better opposition. This season they have drawn with The Blues in the league and beaten them in the cup. They are level on points with us and so this is a must win game. More of the same please lads.

Today's team: GK - S. Clarkson, RB - J. Adams, CB - A. Boyle, CB - A. Benningfield, LB - T. Skrine, RM - M. Clark, CM - P. Butler, CM - D. Clark (D. Freeman-Roach), LM - B. Donaghey, CF - M. Wilson, CF - A. Wray (J. Miller). Sub not used - S. Small