Match Report

W e eventually overcame the lower league opposition and ran out comfortable winners, our persistent play and superior fitness gradually wore down Westerham, who gave a good account of themselves in the opening 30 minutes. Farnborough started the game with complacency and lack of purpose, they were a shadow of the team that had such a cutting edge the week before and didn’t do the excellent playing surface justice. Our defence looked uncommitted and indecisive, the midfield and front runners lacked movement and a willingness to all do their share of hard work.

Westerham seemed more comfortable in the early stages but without creating chances. As for ourselves, the final pass was off target and we couldn’t turn our half chances into decent scoring opportunities, it seemed like we were still half asleep. Wray poked the ball over the bar when well placed, Fullone and Stevens had long range efforts but to no avail. Wray was tripped in the box but the referee didn’t point to the spot. After 30 minutes, Stevens took one of his left footed inswinging corners from the right, rather fortuitously it went straight into the goal. We were still off our game though, just minutes before half time Burkett made a smart save, diving to his right and parrying the ball out for a corner. This kept the score 1-0 at half-time.

Darren had words with the lads and Farnborough started the 2nd half better and with more purpose. Just 5 minutes into the 2nd half Stevens rifled a shot into the corner of the Westerham goal, he followed this up shortly afterwards with a half-volley rocket from the edge of the box. 3-0 now and looking more comfortable. Barnett had to go off injured and Thrussell replaced him. Black, Laurant, Myatt and Holmes were brought on replacing; Milner, Wray, Hunt and Bossley.

We were in the ascendancy now and Holmes made it four with a cheeky chip over the keeper. The boys could smell blood now and we sought to press home our advantage. Again the referee waved play on, when Myatt was tripped in the area but the ball fell to Holmes and he calmly slotted home our fifth with a right foot shot. Good passing through our centre midfield and right flank saw Hunt (back on the pitch for – er, I don’t know!) unselfishly cross for Laurant to make it six from close range.

A 6-0 victory, into the next round of the cup and the boss still wasn’t completely happy. He was alarmed at our poor start to the game and more capable opposition could easily have done us some damage during this period. However, you’ve got to be happy with a 6-0, haven’t you boss?