Match Report

So it was that “time of the month” again as the Farnborough Young Vets made the journey down to their happy hunting ground of Kidbrooke Village to face Old Tamponians!

With squad numbers depleted this week due to Easter Sunday and various family commitments Farnborough lined up as follows

Gary Rosslee, GK
Danny Saines, LB
Andy Cobham CB
Simon Hunt CB
Richard Davies, RB
Matt Wright, LM
Daragh Nott, CM
Jim St John, CM
Jason Miller, RM
Paul Tanton, CF
Pete Harvey, CF

Subs,

Mark Friend
Simon Davies

The opening 5 minutes were absolutely catastrophic for the Guild; they lacked any composure on the ball and looked the most nervous I have seen them at the back for a long time. As Farnborough imploded the home side scored twice in quick succession to get them off to a dream start with Andy Cobham playing a key part in both of the goals. The first goal was deflected in off of his standing leg to take the ball away from Rosslee who appeared to have the shot covered from 8 yards out, and then the second was as good as a diving header you will see this year or any other in fact as he beat Rosslee at the near post after attempting to head a cross from out right for a corner, 2-0 Old Tamponians.

Farnborough to their credit tried their hardest to get back into the game immediately as they rolled their sleeves up and started to compete with a lot more hunger and desire, Jim St John was at the thick of the action as he constantly won every header in the centre of the park and towards the end of the half he was unlucky to see his header disallowed for offside to keep the scores 2-0 Old Tamponians. Half time soon approached as Farnborough regrouped. Paul Tanton AKA ‘the Special One’ then pulled one helluva rabbit out of his hat as he moved Matt Wright back into centre back with Simon Hunt making way, Pete Harvey took up the role of left midfield which meant the introduction of Simon Davies up front and Mark Friend came on at left back in place of Danny Saines. Half time also saw the introduction of Jason Miller who was 45 minutes late for today’s match or at least he might as well have been even by his own admission!

There was a certain confidence about the Guild as they took to the pitch for the second half and it didn’t take them long to reduce the 2 goal deficit and it was Jim St John at the thick of it once again as he headed home a Jason Miller pinpoint cross at the back post as he was given the freedom of Kidbrooke, 2-1 to Old Tamponians but now Farnborough had the momentum. Pete Harvey who had spent the week on the set at Les Miserables the motion picture, and I don’t mean a story about his life! scored a wonderful half volley from outside the right hand side of the penalty area to bring the scores to 2-2. Apparently a few players in the squad were not aware that Pete is now a full time thespian, well that’ll explain the dungarees and k.d. lang CD in the car!! 2-2.

Old Tamponians were one of those teams that always looked dangerous on the attack but more often than not they lacked any real conviction but even so they couldn’t be taken lightly as Rosslee had to be alert to intercept a through ball diving bravely at the forward\'s feet and alertly feeding Jason Miller out wide, Jason Miller\'s first time ball 40 yards down the channel found Paul Tanton who then carried the ball a further 20 yards forward before he squared the ball across the penalty area to Pete Harvey who had timed his run expertly to smash the ball home to score. Old Tamponians had been cut open by a simple 3 pass move which was one of the best team goals that Farnborough had ever scored in my opinion! 2-3 Farnborough.

Farnborough created a few more chances without serious reply from Old Tamponians but they were soon caught napping with no more than 8 minutes remaining on the clock as the home side scored at the second time of asking, Rosslee saving the initial one on one effort only for the ball to fall to kindly to an unmarked player in the 6 yard box and even a last ditch tackle from Pete Harvey couldn\'t prevent an equaliser, 3-3.

Farnborough survived a late scare when Old Tamponians were awarded a direct free kick right on the edge of the penalty area as Mark was adjudged to have fouled his man late. Thankfully Old Tamponians elected for the most intricacy of set plays rather than attempting to shoot and the danger was easily dealt with by the defence and Farnborough stormed down the other end of the pitch and won a corner with what was surely going to be the last piece of action of the match. A Jason Miller corner was whipped in which was then followed by a bout of head tennis on the edge of the 6 yard box and Matt Wright (apparently) got the last and vital touch to send the ball into the back of the net and then the ref blew the whistle for full time. What an amazing show of character by the OBG’s to come back and win this entertaining game 3-4.

Next week we are away to local rivals The Buff.

I understand the Old Tamponians will be looking to frustrate Inter Viagra ;)