Match Report

A new look Farnborough kicked off their season on a glorious Saturday afternoon at home to AFC Sevenoaks in the Barry Bundock Cup.

With wholesale changes in both the management and players, you couldn’t have asked for a nicer day to get the new campaign underway.

1. Stuart Copeland

2. Dan Poynter

3. Alex Lauren

4. Kevin Lott

5. Barry Cleaver

6. Ray Perkins

7. Perry Scofield

8. George Belchamber

9. Billy Webb

10. Danny Godward

11. Mickey Graham

Subs:

12. Nick Hardway

13. Nick Hussein

14. Russell Nethercot

15. Ricky Stevens

16. Sam Warner

The first twenty minutes was all about the home side. Ray Perkins catching a sweet volley on the right hand side of the area which cannoned off the stanchion early on really set the tone.

With George, Perry and Ray working well in the middle of the park, they didn’t give the opposition a chance to get the ball down and play. Barry Cleaver and Mickey Graham who occupied the left and right wing back positions worked tirelessly up and down the flanks, getting up to support the forwards and also helping out the back three when needed. I thought we played some really good stuff in that first period.

The opening goal came from an unlikely source given the attacking players on display but a great goal it was and very well deserved. After cutting in from the left an beating two defenders, Barry Cleaver unleashed a brilliant right foot shot which flew into the top left hand corner giving the Sevenoaks keeper no chance. A great goal and I was chuffed for Bazza, I didn’t know he had that in his locker.

However, what was to follow, should not be witnessed by man, woman or child ever again. Wheeling away in jubilation after his strike, Barry started shouting and going mental but then came out with the infamous comment…………….“Who's The Daddy”.

I, for one, felt violated and a little sick and I certainly wasn’t the only one. The response to this MASSIVE statement was not too well received and out of the corner of my eye I even spotted Lotty and Poynter, who were on their way to celebrate the goal, look at each other, and pull a U turn back to their respective positions.

Following the goal, Farnborough pressed on. Billy Webb and Danny Godward were continuing to cause problems for the Sevenoaks defence and it wasn’t going to be too long before we scored again. The goal came 10 minutes from half time and was another good strike and a home debut goal for Danny Godward. A quick swivel on the left hand side of the area, Dan created space, opened up his body and curled a belter into the keeper’s top left hand corner.

2-0 up, half time, happy days.

We really did dominate the first half. I can’t really remember Stu having a save to make and Dan, Al & Kev seemed to look very comfortable containing the Sevenoaks forwards whilst getting the ball and playing from the back.

Two goals to the good the 2nd half kicked off – we played well in patches, there were always going to be times in the game where the opposition came back into it but we defended stoutly and played on the deck as much as we could.

Myself, Nicky and Crouch came on for Perry, Mickey and Barry for the last 20 mins.

Ray Perkins, who seems to score everytime I see him play, bagged the third and final goal with a powerful right foot drive in the last ten minutes and book our place in the next round.

This was not before I could make a right tit of myself. I’ve slaughtered Bazza for his moody celebration but it wouldn’t be right for me to write this match report and not mention the sniper that has taken me out with a few minutes to go. I can’t quite remember what happened but after cutting inside fro the right, I was about to let fly with my left foot and run away in glory. However, it was not to be. I think I’ve tripped myself up and landed face first on the edge of the penalty area. Cue, laughter from the crowd and players alike, I couldn’t help but find it funny. I’ll take positives from that on work on my diving tekkers in the hope that it may come in handy later on in the season.

All in all, a good start. With new management in Darren and Terry and some excellent new additions to the squad, we certainly have a decent chance of doing a bit this season.