Match Report

A lovely sunny afternoon in the beautiful surroundings of the Ferrier Estate was the venue for the most eagerly anticipated quarter final of the weekend. Farnborough went into the game off the back of a bad defeat last weekend and without their very own Captain Marvel. News on Nethercot’s injury are that he could be back within 2-3 weeks but he was spotted at the ground with an immaculate looking Columbo jacket on to cheer on his team. What a guy.

The opponents today were fellow relegation battlers Old Roan who sit just 1 place above us in the league and on this performance, they have got to be the favourites to go down if we can put a little run together before the season finishes.

Lineup:

George

Taps
Pointer
Alex
Ealesy

Sladey
Lotty
Jarv
Dave Martin

Mickey
Stevie

Farnborough dominated the 1st half from the whistle. An early goal settled us well and I think we looked more like the home team as we spent the majority of the 1st half in the final third of the pitch.

A neat through ball to Mickey Graham whose shot was parried by the keeper, falling to the feet of Steve Smith to tap in his first goal for the club. A dream start.

Dave Martin and Sladey were having a lot of the joy against the Old Roan full backs, and with good support coming from Ealsey and Taps I thought we looked dangerous down the flanks all game. Dave was putting in some great balls from the left and I lost count of the amount of times we were a bit guilty of not attacking the ball or getting something on it. Sladey, came against a left back and pretty much exposed him every time.

I think I even remember Taps pulling out a cheeky Ronaldo-esque back heel…….

With Kevin Lott, skipper for the day, getting on the ball alot and conducting the game with his passing and excellent vision, we were all over them. Jarv, partnering Kev in the middle of the park was having a stormer as well with his workrate and distribution and almost bagged with an absolute belter of a strike from 25 yards about half hour in. He tells me it was only a whisker away, but whilst on the subject of whiskers, he had so many scratches on his face I wonder if he needs to learn how to get rid of his own whiskers before talking about anyone else's.

We came in at half time 1-0 up but by far the better team, playing some great stuff but at the same time, we were all well aware that to go in with just the 1 goal advantage, Old Roan were definitely still in it, especially with our record this season of going ahead in games and ending up on the losing side. If we were guilty of anything, it was playing too well.

At the back, Dan Pointer and Alex dealt with them comfortably all afternoon. I can’t remember Georgie having much to do 1st half except a well timed tackle on the Old Roan centre forward.

A brief half time rallying call from Vince and Darren spurred us onto the 2nd half where, once again, we bossed the game from start to finish. For me the half was all about the Old Roan goalie who had the game of his life. We should have been in double figures by half time but the 2nd half was unbelievable.

Once again, we moved the ball well, and limited Old Roan’s chances. Dave Martin had a stinging shot which the keeper saved and Mickey Graham was unlucky not to have bagged a hatful as the keeper, just simply, could do no wrong.

With about 15 to go, Luke Dunne was introduced for Mickey Graham, in what was to be an inspired substitution. We all know Dunney is a centre half but when he comes on up top he does give us another dimension which is what was needed at this stage of the game. Kevin Lott, who once again had been instrumental all game picked up the ball on the right hand side and delivered a superb ball into the box, Luke lost his marker and finished neatly, it was a well worked goal and thoroughly deserved. 2-0, ten minutes to go, happy days.

The remaining 10 mins I didn’t rally take much notice – mainly because I was starving. I couldn’t wait to get back to the club for one of Shirley’s Baps and an OranjeBoom. Jarv decided to have a pop at 50 Cent’s bodyguard, but it was all handbags and we walk straight into the semi-final which is to be played on the 20th March.

So in conclusion, a good day out for us. Although the league is by far the priority, it is nice to have a cup run. The opposition were poor but we played some really good football and it was encouraging especially after the result last week. It’s been an up an down season but we have not had much luck so maybe we are due a bit. With the squad we have now, we will only go from strength to strength.

Everyone performed well and this sort of form needs to be transferred into Saturday’s league game.

Man of the Match: Alex – had a great game, Old Roan didn’t have a chance all game and never looked like scoring. It was also good to see us playing football from the back as opposed to going long. With him and Dan paired up at the back, I can’t see us conceding any more silly goals.