AS CAMBOLI put their fans through a multitude of emotions as they snatched victory in the dying moments of their clash against AFC Sandhurst.
They went into the match knowing that victory would put them at least temporarily top of the table and keep the pressure on their other title rivals. It was clear from the outset that they would not have an easy task. The condition of the Sandhurst pitch left a lot to be desired with mole hills and divots littering an already uneven surface. It was also apparent that Sandhurst had been busy in the transfer window with a number of new faces lining up for the home side compared to the previous fixture in December.
Camboli could also point to a number of changes from the corresponding fixture too. Tom Welburn continued to deputise for the injured James Price in goal behind a back four of Bradshaw, Putman, Fisher and Aird that had defended resolutely the previous week. The midfield of Smith, Sam Welburn and skipper Jonny Gosnell also started with Jim Welburn, Adger and Stanborough completing the lineup.
The visitiors started brightly, knocking the ball around with consumate ease despite the poor playing surface and spent much of the opening 5 minutes camped inside the hosts' half of the field. For their part, Sandhurst did defend their last third well and restricted Camboli to a few limited shots from range even if they were unable to break the visitors hold on the match. Camboli continued to dominate the first half with skipper Gosnell often proving a valuable link with his simple passing linking defence and attack. Smith and Sam Welburn too kept Camboli's slick passing game ticking over and a combination of a lack of a good final ball and solid defending was the only thing keeping the game level.
It wasn't completely one way traffic though. Sandhurst did ask questions of their opponents when they crossed the half way line largely thanks to a succession of throwins and free kicks that Camboli often seemed to be caught napping. Indeed one free kick found its way to the far post where an unmarked Sandhurst player might have done better than volley tamely into the hands of the grateful Tom Welburn. On other occassion it was Sam Welburn who headed away on the line when another Sandhurst player was found unmarked from a corner.
Eventually Camboli gained the breakthrough that their football deserved. Camboli had possession in a tight area down the right when the ball came to Sam Welburn, who looked up and switched the play with a fine pass to Ritch Putman on the left. Putman surged forward into the Sandhurst half before crossing to the far post for Ryan Adger to nod home under pressure for an historic 50th goal for the club in just 58 appearances to see Camboli take a 1-0 lead into the interval.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. Camboli playing the majority of the football and keeping possession well for large spells. Michael Hannaway made a welcome return from injury to replace Stanborough early in the second half and almost made an immediate impact laying in Adger who was denied a volleyed effort by a spectacular save from the Sandhurst 'keeper. Camboli were then denied a second by an over eager referee's whistle as Jim Welburn rode a foul on the edge of the box only to hear the stoppage for a free kick as he chipped delightfully into the back of the net. It was to prove a double agony for Jim as he whistled the resultant free kick inches wide of the top corner with the 'keeper rooted.
The away support seemed a little restless as the game wore on and Camboli failed to clinch what everyone felt would be a killer second goal. It may have come from Gary Smith who blazed over from 12 yards or Jonny Gosnell who headed just wide from a similar distance. However, to typify Camboli's season, the goal came at the other end against the run of play. A hopeful punt from Sandhurst shouldn't have troubled Camboli's solid defence. However a lapse in concentration and an awkward bounce saw the otherwise reliable Dave Aird swipe at the ball and miss leaving the Sandhurst in on goal. Fisher came across well to cover the danger but Sandhurst were able to play the ball across the penalty area. A slip from Putman saw a man on the far side with a free sight of goal and a low shot through Tom Welburn's legs saw Sandhurst level with 6 minutes remaining.
As Sandhurst celebrated, the visiting support sat in stunned silence. Camboli needed to show a champions belief and patience in their gameplan but there was very little time. The visitors forced a string of corners and free kicks. Skipper Gosnell had a header tipped over. Camboli piled on the pressure but Sandhurst held firm. From another corner Dave Aird had a volley to redeem himself. It was blocked well on the line... but the ball fell to Aird a second time.. a second time he volleyed goalwards and this time the net bulged and the crowd roared and Camboli had retaken the lead!
The goal clearly deflated Sandhurst who were unable to muster any real reply and Camboli held on for a massive 3 points and a confidence boost into their tough remaining fixtures; Camberley International (H), Blackwater Badgers (A), Thorpe (H).
"I think they are by far the best footballing side we've played. They were all so comfortable on the ball. You just don't normally see football of that quality on a Sunday." Manager, AFC Sandhurst
"It was a fantastic result. We showed great belief and got what we deserved. We'll always play til the last kick. It was important today that we didn't panic - even in the dying moments which shows our strength of character." Tom Welburn, AS Camboli Manager
