Report

Manager Richard Goffe had six of the starting line-up missing from the side that gave an impressive showing which produced a deserved draw at home to Battersea Ironsides a fortnight ago.

“WATERS” playing against a strong wind on a pitch, which resembled a ploughed field with plenty of diverts and long grass on the flanks. Old Farnboronians who were obviously accustomed to the pitch settled into their stride from the kick off. They created two good chances in the first five minutes both by their lively left
mid-fielder, first he struck the side netting and then set-up the striker who blazed high over from 14yds.

It was fully ten minutes before “WATERS” had a shot on the home goal when Simon Hamilton dragged his effort wide. Scott McKee and Robbie Sitch playing in central mid-field worked tirelessly in combating their apposite numbers who were making probing runs into the 18yd box.

The game became more even as “WATERS” settled and it developed into an end-to-end affair both sides carved good openings albeit Old Farnboronians the greater share.

“WATERS” went in front on the half hour, Daniel Sharp won the ball just inside the Old Farnboronians half, his pass put TOMMY MOONEY clear on the left he cut inside beat the full back and unleashed a 25yd unstoppable screamer in to the top corner.

Old Farnboronians were level within two minutes, centre-back Darren Newland was harshly penalized just outside the box and the resultant free kick was drilled into the bottom corner. Within two minutes Old Farnboronians were in front courtesy of sloppy “WATERS” defending allowing the left mid-fielder to cut inside waltz past three defenders without making a tackle and he hammered his 20yd shot into the bottom corner.

“WATERS” had chances to level before the break. Robbie Sitch sent Tommy Mooney clear on the left his hard driven low cross across the 6yd box went begging. Tom Golding headed a Luke Sperling cross wide, Simon Hamilton was inches from converting a Daniel Sharp through ball. At the other end wayward shooting and a smart save from keeper Carl Everard with his legs kept the home side at bay.

H.T.  2-1

Old Farnboronians started the second half the more positive and camped in the “WATERS” half for the first ten minutes and only poor finishing and at times desperate defending kept them out.

“WATERS” weathered the opening onslaught and went on the attack and created three good chances one of which almost got the equalizer Martin Taylor and Tom Golding combined to set up Simon Hamilton whose shot was saved by the home keeper at the foot of the post.

The end-to-end pattern of play returned both sides missing chances as they went in search of the crucial next goal.

On the hour “WATERS” equalized when Daniel Sharp made a determined run down the right beat the full-back and MARTIN TAYLOR rifled his pass past the home keeper from 12yds.

Old Farnboronians regained the lead in the 75th minute with “WATERS” pressing forward they were caught short at the back on the counter and the striker in acres of space slotted in a cross from 10yds.

Luke Sperling picked out Robbie Sitch with a 30yd cross-field pass he fed Daniel Sharp whose goal bound shot was tipped over by the home keeper.

Old Farnboronians wrapped up the points with two more goals in a 5-minute spell of more poor “WATERS” defending. On 78 minutes in a quick decisive break the home side outnumbered and outpaced the “WATERS” back-line and the striker fired home from 14yds. Four minutes later a similar break but keeper Carl Everard pulled off a smart save for a corner. The resultant corner was headed in unchallenged at the near post. 

 Referee  Tim Dowdeswell