Match Report

A crisp sunny morning on the 5th of September 2010 signalled the start of a second season for the Young Vets of Farnborough and an impending curtain raiser against the formidable ‘Lloyds Golden Oldies’ was not far from kick off. Having come through what I can only describe as several gruelling weeks of training notably consisting of 6-a-side 3 touch matches we now felt we were now at our peak and ready to face any opposition that were thrown our way.

To say the past 4 months had just flown by would be an understatement; I guess we can thank a certain major sporting event between the months of June and July that must have helped the time pass. You know the sporting event I mean, right??

That "sporting showcase” where the greatest players on the planet all come together to parade their talents on the world stage, that "major sporting” event watched the world over that would have fans around the globe on the edges of their seats, that "major sporting event” that would see the nation come together with the usual high expectations, That "sporting event” that had the bookies suggesting the trophy would be winging its way to Spain at the end of the competition, and as always we had high hopes of our own but alas Andy Murray AKA the Scotsman was sent home packing in the semi final! It was simply not to be his year yet again!!

‘Oh and some breaking news just in…… apparently the summer also saw the football World Cup held in South Africa, I’ll bring you more news on that and England’s progress as of when I receive it’!

After we put the nets up (only half correctly) on the brand new expensive portable goals which I understand were funded from a recent Guns & Roses concert held up on the top pitch which saw over 20,000 revellers attend the gig, well I guess that would at least explain the current state of it!

We lined up as follows :

GK - Gary Rosslee
LB – Tony Simpson
RB – Rich Davie
CB – Chris Greenhough
CB – Paul Brett
LM – George Kleanthous
CM – Daragh Nott
CM – Paul Tanton
RM – Robin Lipscomb
CF – Peter Harvey - KIT
CF – Adam Dawson

Subs

Corp Gary
Aaron Carpenter

‘I have just had confirmation of England’s opener against the USA it ended 1-1 Gerrard netting for England early on but a howler by Green in the England goal let the Americans back into the game, oh well at least we didn’t lose. Roll on the next game’!!

Having won the toss Farnborough elected for Lloyds to kick off and within the first few minutes you could see why Lloyds are regarded as one of the best footballing teams we or any other Vets team will face this season. Lloyds got the ball into the feet of their two busy front men who complemented each other at every opportunity. One of the Lloyds forwards known as Jerry would hold the ball up well and draw many a foul from an over zealous Farnborough defender until on the 10th minute and right on the 18 yard box another unnecessary foul was committed which Danny Saines (who had kindly agreed to ref at the last minute) awarded a direct free kick that ultimately led to the opener for Lloyds. A sweet curling free kick over the OBG wall and into the bottom right hand side leaving the despairing Rosslee no chance! 0-1 to Lloyds Golden Oldies.

‘Further news in from South Africa, England held to a goalless draw with Argentina, again not a bad result seeing as Argentina are no slouches and are two time winners of the competition after all…wait hang on my mistake England held goalless with…. Algeria???? So a must win final game to ensure we go through to the last 16'.

Credit to Farnborough though as they refused to let their heads drop and managed to carve out 3 or 4 decent chances without a Lloyds reply, the most notable fell to Daragh Nott after a sublime pass was squared across the box and with the Lloyds keeper electing to dive to his right early to anticipate a low drive Daragh chose to smash the ball straight down the middle but the ball sailed the wrong side of the bar. Maybe Daragh was still basking in the glory of his own triumphant summer after winning the Knoll Tennis club final (well done mate) but remember in football unlike in tennis YOU HAVE TO HIT THE NET!!!!

The build up of pressure led to the Lloyds keeper pulling off a couple of regulation saves as Farnborough must have now wished they had done some shooting practice over the recent weeks at training. So the score remained 0-1 Lloyds at half time.

Both substitutes (Gary & Aaron) were to get a run out during the second half and again it was Farnborough who dictated the game, the only notable chances for Lloyds were a header that crashed off the angle of the post and bar from a corner and where the more mobile Lloyds forward turned Chris Greenhough in the blink of an eye and thankfully could not keep his shot down.

‘News just in, England have won their final group game albeit unconvincingly with a solitary Jermain Defoe goal which has put in England into the last 16 and they will face the old enemy Germany, this will now give us the impetus to go on and win the World Cup, C’MON ENGERLAND’.

Lloyds then somehow doubled their lead when Farnborough failed to deal with another corner that Chris Greenhough for reasons unknown tried to control the ball on the 6 yard box, his touch which left a lot to be desired and has since seen him put on the sex offenders list bounced nicely to their long haired wing wizard who duly obliged and smashed the ball home from 7 yards. 0-2 to Lloyds.

The game then started to get a bit niggly as both teams failed to find their rhythm and started arguing with their own players respectively, the fact we were not on each others' back as much as Lloyds saw us grab a lifeline. Aaron Carpenter ‘Fricking hell’ was on hand to head the ball home after the goalkeeper had taken the sting out of a vicious strike but could only parry it directly into his path. There were the usual cries of ‘offside’ from Lloyds but after 30 seconds of moaning the referee had given the goal and the OBG’s were back in this game. 1-2.

Farnborough continued to press forward for the equaliser which sometime left them exposed at the back but it was either Lloyds decision to overcomplicate things, resolute defending from the defence or tired legs that finally got the better of Lloyds, the name ‘Golden Oldies’ was starting to become apparent as Farnborough pressed and pressed for a second goal but alas somehow the equaliser eluded them.

The ref blew for full time and although Farnborough’s first game of the new campaign had ended in a defeat, there were some positives to take out of the match. At times we played some excellent football on a surface that would have the purists running for the hills. Paul Brett made an impressive debut at the back and there were some solid performances from the likes of Daragh Nott, Adam Dawson and Richard Davies and even Chris Greenhough put his mistakes behind him to have a solid display.

‘Further News in from South Africa, England absolutely annihilated by Germany 4-1 and England will be arriving home before the postcards. Well that was a complete waste of time wasn’t it? Still only 4 more years till the next World Cup I guess’.

Next week sees us up against the Buff away at Norman Park, I’m not sure what the pitch will be like but I doubt there has been a recent rock concert held on it, maybe more like a Tom Jones gig? And as Tom Jones once nearly sang "it's good to touch the green, green grass…..away from home".

MOM - Daragh ‘oooh do you play racquetball‘ Nott