An apology first - I was very busy in the middle of the park with my whistle for this game and I was missing my 'Statto' sidekick, so the report will be brief. The only stats I have are the goalscorers and times, so I will log those and give my impressions of the game from the middle of the park.
James Wilson set things going and it was a cracking start with 2 goals in the first 4 minutes. Tom was disappointed as he'd all but scored goal number two and done all of the hard work, but it had to be given to James as the faintest of touches off the top of his boot deflected it just far enough to bounce over the keeper. Farndon were dominating play, and theirquick 'give and go' passing was just too much for the Long Bennington boys. They played very well as a team and showed why they had got some very good results this season. However, everyone in the Farndon team operated as a smooth-working footballing machine. Archie was a colossus in defence and I don't think he missed a tackle, as well as launching several of the green and white attacks with some great runs and passes. Xander just seemed to get in the right place and block everything that came at him - his legs were stinging after the game!
If Long Bennington managed to outpass the defenders, there was always a midfielder back to help. The most impressive thing I saw was Tom losing the ballclose to the Long Bennington area and they whipped in several fast passes to put an attacker through on our goal. Just as I feared the worst, someone put in a tackle and clearance. It was Tom who had got all the way back in double-quick time!
Will had a busier game than usual but Long Bennington were reduced to long-range shots by the defenders and we all know that you won't beat Will with those. With Max away, Dylan took on the attacking responsibilities and worked the 'back to goal' routine very well, laying off some inch-perfect passes to the oncoming midfielders. Jake took on players with confidence and with numerous twists and turns...and at least one drag-back!
James Scott got the third goal on 9 minutes and the fifth on 27. His dribbling and passing and his harrying of the Long Bennington attackers was very impressive and it was that hard work and never-say-die attitude that won him the Man of the Match award from Bennington's management team. They had a tough choice, though.
In between Scotty's goals came a wonder strike from Henry, almost by the corner flag. Yes...of course he meant it! His tackling and dribbling deserved the goal. Ben was instrumental in keeping driving the team forward whether in a defensive role or in the midfield and he made some crucial interventions.
The second half was mostly controlled by Farndon with a few flashes of dominance from Long Bennington but these were soon snuffed out. Tom got the goal that his industrious wingplay deserved on 32 minutes before Bennington managed a consolation goal on 52 minutes. The second half was very physical with plenty of tussles for the ball. It was good to see that the boys gave as good as they got without either team ever crossing the line into being unsporting.
Overall, a very enjoyable game, a very impressive performance and it resulted in the 10th win from 12 games. 68 goals scored and just 9 conceded in those games. You can all be rightly proud of that record. Back into Cup action next week.
