Match Report

This fixture has traditionally been the hardest fixture on our schedule and I believe this is the ONLY team that the Senior Vets play regularly each season that we have still never tasted victory against. With that known we headed into the fixture at Queen Mary University Ground in Chislehurst full of optimism. Our mission at the beginning of the season was to be competitive in every game and as the season edges ever along to a close, I think we can say that in the main, we have achieved that. To test ourselves against the best sides is what we play for and although we were to succumb to defeat today, we can walk away knowing that we gave them a game. There was a nice touch from their manager when he sent me a text after the game congratulating our team's efforts and stating that we were a decent side. That is a nice compliment coming from the team that really still is the standard bearer at our level of playing.

FOBG Squad: Tom Girling, Ben McWilliams, Sinisa Gracanin, Simon Thomas, Dave Morgan, Chisa Mkala, George Kleanthous, Waine Hetherington, Andy Ashe, Diccon Kaenzig, Landy Sakala, SUBS: Nathan Bernard, Lex Grey.

Referee: Very steady performance from the man in the middle and did his best to keep the game moving. Gave clear information on decisions which players always appreciate.

Kit sponsor: The Dog and Duck, Outwood.

Manager:  George Kleanthous.

Interim Chief Football Correspondent:  George Kleanthous.

Starting well is always important when playing against a team that usually dominates possession, so it was really encouraging to see that for the first 25-30 minutes Farnborugh faced up to the expected pressure but additionally were having spells of good play and causing Bird in Hand to defend diligently themselves in order to keep us at bay. Once again, we were having some success down both flanks with Dave Morgan and Diccon Kaenzig working well together and being very effective in possession down our left and then Simon Thomas and Chisa Mkala having a decent start and combining well down the right wing.

The other promising aspect was that we were able to limit our opponents’ opportunities to long range efforts and so with things being even we were probably the happier side. There may have been a little bit of frustration creeping in as some of the chat between a couple of their players was indicating that not all was roses in the garden and “choice of final ball” could be improved.

However, when you are a side with quality running right through your team, it’s hard to suppress that for a whole 90 minutes and it was a very smart piece of individual play that led to our staunch defensive efforts finally being unpicked. On the half-hour mark a nice threaded pass in behind our left flank sent one of their players charging down the line, he then cut inside and delivered a perfect cross which split right between our two centre backs and into the path of their centre forward who nudged the ball goalward where Tom Girling got a palm to it but sadly not enough to turn it around the post.

On going a goal down, we responded well and were again able to match Bird in Hand in terms of possession for the remainder of the half. Clear cut chances were few and far between but that was the same for both sides.

The last time we played this team, we were in a very similar situation, whereby we were only a goal down and had played well for the entire first 45 minutes but then conceded 3 goals very early in the second half to take the game away from us so it was important that we continued to stay fully focused and remain stingy at the back and wait for our chances as and when they came. In fairness to our opponents, I think they handled our attacks very efficiently and kept our opportunities to a minimum. Good sides can do that and they were comfortably keeping control of the game but we in turn were not letting them create too much themselves.

With maybe 15 minutes left Bird in Hand doubled their lead when a determined bit of dribbling and a deft one-two by their strong midfielder got him in behind our defence and he squared the ball across to his team mate who took a nice touch to turn our defender and then provided the finishing touch to coolly tap it into the net. There was a very strong suggestion of offside as at the time of the return pass on the one-two, our whole back line felt their player was at least a yard offside, however, without being blessed with the luxury of VAR being introduced at grass roots level, we will have to stand by the linesman’s decision which was that our right back was keeping everyone onside and so the goal stood. We felt aggrieved but in reality, the fact that it was our linesman who gave the call probably indicated that we may have misjudged proceedings and that may have clouded our perspective somewhat. It would have been much easier if it was their linesman feeling it necessary to cheat, alas sadly (or gladly!) that was not the truth. Another good piece of play had been our undoing.

On the overall balance of play, I think we would be honest enough to accept defeat against a very good side but somehow 0-2 has a completely different feel to it than a 0-3 reverse. The fact it finished 0-3 left a very slight tinge of disappointment. The way in which we conceded the last goal probably didn’t help. The centre forward who was quite a youthful chap had been full of running all game and he chased down a ball which we probably thought our keeper would get to first, but he was strong enough in the tackle to make Tom hesitate just enough to win the challenge and thus had the ball roll towards the goal and he theatrically leathered it full blast into the roof of the net from approximately 20 centimetres out.

The game was up and we had given a good account of ourselves but I do think we missed Jay's presence and movement today as Landy mainly foraged alone up front. He could have done with more support and who knows, we may have even been able to get something from the game.

Next week we are back at home and we look forward to welcoming Ashburnham Wanderers. Another strong performance is needed and would be a good build up for the ULTIMATE challenge for what comes next……Farnborough Young Vets!!

Man-of-the-match:

Diccon was the player that caused the opposition the most problems today and his strong play was the reason why he gained the majority of votes today with 5. He seemed to be even better when he came on for his second stint in the second half and most of our good play went through him.