After a week off for half term, availability improved greatly for the trip to Farnborough Reds. Returns from injury, childcare and a new signing left us with 16 players available plus Tim. Good news as Trevor has agreed personal terms and will do the paperwork in the coming weeks making him our second signing of the season after Pat.

Graham distributed our new raincoats in the cramped Farnborough dressing room, looking splendid courtesy of our sponsor Mortgage Evolution. They were well timed as the Farnborough top pitch contrives to be bleak and cold even in this mild autumn.
Tim had a lot of thinking to do, his black book and pen opening and shutting as he searched for the magic formula. He decided to go with a first half 11 and then a big switch at half time.

The referee failed to show up on time, something to do with needing to buy water, a story that did not age well when he turned up in his pyjamas looking very much like a man planning to stand in the centre circle for a couple of hours and take some abuse in exchange for his fee, a laudable ambition but one that was unlikely to lead to any great thirst. Tim asked me to step in and referee until he arrived which I did, succeeding in leading the toss.

The first 40 minutes were very even. Farnborough had some big lumps, a very large striker who was surprisingly tricky, some young midfielders and a sweeper with a topknot who looked like he'd played at a good standard. The topknot illustrated the age difference, we have very few players young enough to have enough hair for even a Bobby Charlton combover, let alone one requiring so much real estate. We had one of our strongest teams out since the early stages of the season, with Martin and Ells handling their long balls, Rich very secure behind, double Dannies winning the wing battles providing a solid base. Kris and Jamie looked dangerous down the wings and Tom/Terry were busy but had control. Up from Trevor and Stuart kept looking for through balls. Farnborough played the offside very well, catching us on numerous occasions, with the ref unlikely to overrule their linesman. Farnborough had some half chances, but Rich made some good saves. Just before half time a foul in a dangerous position was given after a couple of big tackles. Top knot took the free kick and caught it perfectly, it swerved over the wall and into the top corner past Rich's outstretched fingers. Farnborough were buoyed, and the pressed us aggressively and their No 5 burst down the wing and hit a wicked low shot/cross that took a cruel bobble that Rich got to but couldn't keep out.

Tim asked for opinions at half time, and we got over the unlucky finish to focus on what we could do to change the game. Tim put the 5 subs on. The new legs gave a boost to our play, despite increasing our average age and a few of us being rusty from injury. The game went on a bit like the first half, we got some half chances, and they created lots of fairly good chances but couldn't increase their lead. At 2-0 down we still felt something was in it for us but the goal wouldn't come. Farnborough got their third after a lot of pressure and the game was finished as a contest.

The result wasn't what we wanted but against a young well drilled team with a squad with many injuries the performance was an improvement on the Santos game two weeks ago. Excellent support as always from the ultras, with Mr Bantock and Mr White cheering us on.

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