Match Report

The Farnborough ‘Young Vets’ went into today’s fixture with a pretty poor start to their season by their usual high standards and today’s visitors to ‘Farrow Fields’ were Sanco Vets. Very little was known about today’s opposition, as this was the first time that both teams had faced each other. Yours truly tried to do some homework on the FOBG website to see if the Senior Vets had played Sanco but it would appear they had played ‘Sanco Super Vets’ and contrary to belief a Super Vet is not an person who saves sick animals whilst wearing their pants over their trousers!!

Farnborough lined up as follows

Gary Rosslee - GK
Mark Friend – LB
Matt Wright – CB
Paul Bailey – CB
Richard Davies – RB
Neil Connelly - LM
Danny Clark - CM
Daragh Nott - CM
Rowan Foggit - RM
Pete Harvey – CF
Paul Tanton - CF

Subs
Danny Saines
Dave Rainsbury
Simon Hunt

The notable absentees today were Grant Gable (on the piste) Jason Miller (on a camel) Tony Simpson (still injured) & Jim St John (watching the Sunday XI play on the big pitch).

In the crisp yet bright sunshine it was Farnborough who enjoyed the brighter passages of play from the kick off and they somehow knocked the ball around as best as they have done this season and taking into consideration the fact they were playing on the top “less desirable pitch” Farnborough should have opened the scoring when Peter Harvey found himself with the just the Sanco keeper to beat and his neat chip looked to have beaten the Sanco #1 but he somehow managed to get the slightest of touches to the ball to keep the scores level and Farnborough found little reward for their possession. Some say this has been the story of Pete’s season so far; however leaping to his defence (I’m not sure why??) Pete had only found the net one more time at this stage of last season!

Farnborough continued to play some very attractive football and the likes of Danny Clark and Rowan Foggit appeared to cover every blade of grass. But with most of the first half played and with Farnborough yet to seriously trouble the Sanco back line the visitors had their first effort on goal; a speculative 25 yard strike that was beaten over the crossbar by a bleary eyed Rosslee and then soon after they went one better. Some suicidal play across their own penalty area led to Farnborough conceding an unnecessary free kick out on the right hand side. The ball was delivered into the box and Mark Friend lost his man at the back post and the Sanco player made no mistake with his free header. 0-1 Sanco and half time approached.

The second half saw a few changes of personnel including a first for Farnborough as there were two, yes two QPR fans on the same pitch at the same time, Danny Saines at left back and Simon Hunt at centre back and both were clearly looking forward to the pending QPR v. Chelsea match (I still don’t think I have ever seen 11 men totally outplayed by 9, but that is another story!!).

Farnborough were soon on level terms when Danny Clark\'s glancing near post header from a Pete Harvey corner flew into the net leaving Sanco stunned, I’m not sure why though as per the fast half Farnborough had enjoyed the majority of the play.1-1. Farnborough pushed for the winner but the second goal eluded them and would not come as Matt Wright had a good chance to steal the spoils for Farnborough at the death. The referee (who I might add was as late to Farrow Fields as a Didier Drogba tackle) blew for full time. 1-1 honours even.

MOM again was a close one but it was Rowan who scooped that gong today for a tireless performance.

Next week we face another unknown quantity in ‘Ditton United’ Vets but if history were anything to go by then it would suggest that Pete Harvey would net a brace! (No pressure then).