Match Report

Today’s final “competitive” match of the season was a well engineered revised fixture as we were due to play STC Sports but were advised midweek that they could not field a team. Now normally we would struggle to rearrange a fixture at such short notice but with the rumours of scantily clad young females showering down at Farrow Fields still echoing around the various football clubs in the south east we were able to get a game on against ‘Old Tamponians’, apparently there were at least 5 or 6 other teams also wanting to play us, I cant think why!

The reverse fixture against ‘Old Tamponians’ was a very close encounter with Farnborough eventually running out 3-4 winners courtesy of a last gasp winner from Matt Wright, so we knew today would be another tight game.

Farnborough lined up as follows.

Gary Rosslee, GK
Danny Saines, LB
Paul Brett, CB
Andy Cobham, CB
Simon Hunt, RB
Matt Wright, LM
Neil Connelly, CM
Jim St John, CM
Jason Miller, RM
Paul Tanton, CF
Pete Harvey. CF

Subs

Simon Davies
Richard Cooke

It was the visitors who nearly took the lead with the first decent attack of the game, as Farnborough were sliced open with a neat through ball however Rosslee was able to save smartly to divert the danger away for a corner. Farnborough then forced their way into the match and Pete Harvey opened the scoring for Farnborough. Jason Miller doing what he does best, leaving defenders in his wake as he easily beat 2 men out wide and then cut into the area, he drew a good save from the keeper but cleverly headed the rebound goalwards and Pete was able to bundle the ball home with a header, 1-0 Farnborough.

Farnborough’s lead did not last for too long as Old Tamponians equalised with a well worked goal, Danny Saines was beaten out on the left and the midfielder had acres of space to pick a pass to their unmarked centre forward in the box who finished emphatically first time at the near post, 1-1.

Farnborough continued to press forward and Jason Miller soon regained the advantage for the home team, this time an excellent pass from Neil Connelly’s cultured left foot allowed Jason to race on to the ball in full stride and strike the ball in one fluid motion, again the goalkeeper made a good stop but Jason was able to net the rebound, 2-1 OBG’s.

Old Tamponians were mostly restricted to long range efforts which were dealt with comfortably (yes even the high ones) as they tried to force their way back into the game, they also found the Farnborough defence to be in fine form today with the likes of Paul Brett, Andy Cobham & Simon Hunt all making very important challenges, the visitors even had a penalty claim turned down by the ref, a decision I have seen given before! Pete Harvey and Paul Tanton both scored a further goal each to surely put Farnborough in the driving seat going into the half time break, 4-1 OBG’s.

As we know football can be a funny old game and the second half was a completely different story as the Old Tamponians completely dominated the game, Paul Brett unfortunately had to be substituted as he suffered a bad knock making another vital block on the edge of the box, so Matt Wright was moved in centre back alongside Cobham, for the remaining 30 minutes or so. The visitors pegged a goal back, courtesy of some sloppy play by Farnborough and their central midfielder who had an uncanny knack of finding space all game was on hand to smash the ball home after Rosslee was unable to deal with a low ball across the 6 yard box. 4-2, OBG’s.

Farnborough managed to weather the storm as the Old Tamponians came forward in their droves, as a team they knocked the ball around well and used both flanks to full effect but they were met with some resolute defending by the Farnborough rearguard. With the Old Tamponians playing so high up the pitch this eventually led to Farnborough’s 5th goal. A long punt from Rosslee was brought down expertly by Pete Harvey who then beat the last man before unselfishly squaring the ball for Simon Davies who smashed home his 13th goal of the season, 5-2 OBG’s.

Pete Harvey was soon on hand to score his 3rd with the goal of the match. Rosslee plucked a corner from the air and punted downfield for Pete who allowed the ball to bounce over the last defender and race on to it, although he still had a lot to do he looked up and arrowed a shot from outside the box on the left that whistled over the goalkeeper into the opposite top corner (some might have even said it was a cross!). 6-2 OBG’s.

Andy Gable\'s whistle signalled full time and on paper Farnborough ran out comfortable winners but to be fair to the Old Tamponians I don’t think the scoreline was a true reflection on the game, especially as Andy Cobham (2) and Simon Hunt (3) both picked up MOM votes. It was however Pete Harvey (4) that just nicked that accolade courtesy of the perfect hat-trick!

Unfortunately there were no repeats of last week\'s “shower scene” instead the shower was filled with a load of Old Tamponians! Next week we are at home / away against the Senior Vets and on that note happy 40th birthday to Paul Bailey AKA Bodge!