Match Report

Today was Farnborough’s first game of 2012 and would you believe it we found ourselves out on the road again. Our fixture against Glendale was our first game in 4 weeks and the second furthest journey that we have had to travel to this season so this gave us time in the back of Bodge’s cab to reflect on our season so far.

Our stats up until the end of 2011 read as follows. Played 13, Won 3, Lost 5, Drawn 5, For 31, Against 26. Miles covered 2560.

On paper you may say this is far below the standard that has become expected of the Young Vets but the general consensus was that at least we have started to play a far better standard of teams and we are not winning games by a landslide like last year and the one previous to that; therefore the games have been more enjoyable although the results haven’t gone our way. On a more positive note it was also pointed out later at the ground by Andy (Statto) Cobham that as a team if we are only conceding on average 2 goals per game we should actually be winning these games, not sure what formula he used but I think understand where he is coming from?

To Glendale’s credit the Postal ground in Warlingham was a far cry from the awful ground we played at last season in our 4-0 victory and with a slightly delayed kick off to allow for the ground to thaw out as best it could we lined up as follows.

Gary Rosslee - GK
Paul ‘Bodge’ Bailey – RB
Chris Greenhough – CB
Andy Cobham – CB
Mark Friend – LB
Neil Connelly – LM
Jim St John – CM
Grant Gable – CM
Jason Miller – RM
Paul Tanton – CF
Pete Harvey – CF

Subs
Simon Davies
Rowan Foggit

Farnborough won the toss and opted to change ends forcing Glendale to play into the bright January sunshine and the game was only a couple of minutes old when Jason Miller collected the ball from a throw in and drove at the defence on the left wing and created enough space for him to drive an effort goalwards which the Glendale keeper managed to save with his legs, a good early start for Farnborough. The second notable chance came 5 minutes after and again Jason Miller was involved, this time his cross at the back post was met by a Pete Harvey diving header that unfortunately went the wrong side of the crossbar. The scores remained level after a bright start from the visitors.

Glendale’s number 8 who didn’t actually last the full 90 minutes last time out as he had an argument with his own team mates and walked off was at the centre of most of their play but for all of his efforts to find his team mates in behind the defence on a hard quick surface was sniffed out by the ever alert Andy Cobham or the tireless Chris Greenhough. In fact Glendale didn’t manage a single effort on target in the first 45 minutes, albeit it they had a minimum of 6 corners but all of which were dealt with professionally by the Farnborough stalwarts. Half time 0-0.

Simon Davies and Rowan Foggitt came on for Paul Tanton and Mark Friend for the second half but it was Glendale who enjoyed the ball for the first 15 minutes after the restart and with Farnborough now having to cope with the blindingly bright sunshine in their peripheral vision Glendale’s approach was to adopt a “shoot on sight” policy, thankfully for Farnborough however they had left their shooting boots at home. It took a while for Farnborough to get a grip back on the game but they eventually did, as Glendale appeared to tire somewhat. Farnborough were unlucky not to break the deadlock as Jim St John who kindly played today even though he was on DEFCON 5 alert with his wife potentially going into labour at any moment aptly unleashed a little screamer of his own, this one however was from 25 yards out and it agonisingly hit the right hand side upright! Still 0-0.

Glendale were let off the hook once more as Grant Gable saw his header hit the left hand post after some good play in the Glendale box and then Farnborough were punished on a swift counter attack. A long ball over the top from the Glendale penalty box to the right wing was then knocked over a stranded Chris Greenhough who was left with two men to mark and the number 8 did well to chest the ball down to give himself an extra yard and he despatched the ball into the far corner with a well placed finish, 1-0 Glendale.

With not a lot of time left on the ref\'s watch Farnborough must have wondered what they needed to do to score today as Rowan Foggitt was guilty of missing an open goal and then the Glendale keeper was on hand twice to tip over a Grant Gable chip from the edge of the box and then smartly save at his near post to keep their precious one goal lead intact. With the time ticking away the Management decided to go with an attacking 3-4-3 formation that saw Mark Friend re-enter the field of play to line up in the 3-man defence and this soon proved to be a stroke of genius as it was Mark on hand who was first to react to a loose ball in the Glendale box to smash an unstoppable effort through a crowded area and leave the Glendale goalkeeper no chance, 1-1 and a huge relief for Farnborough. This goal also prevented the biggest smash and grab in the Croydon area since the infamous summer riots!!

Farnborough made their long journey back to the BR6 area still unbeaten this year and with the prospect (weather permitting) of playing at home sweet home next Sunday against Charlton Rangers.

MOM today, well there were some excellent performances from the likes of Jim St John and Jason Miller but it was Chris Greenhough who eventually ran away with it, I don’t think he stopped running today!