Newent 4-2 Faringdon Town
As Faringdon Town arrived after a long journey to the edge of Wales, we came looking to upset the league leaders and do a job.
In the first minute an opportunity for Newent, Faringdon caught cold, lucky to get away from conceding as it went just wide. Town were struggling to get going and 2 mins later the Newent forwards shot hit the bar! Newent were well on top and it wasn’t long before they got their goal. A straight long ball that got the Newent forwards interested, this resulted in a 50/50 with Town’s keeper, the forward rode the challenge and had a bouncing ball to head in. Town 1 down having not started.
We did then settle and started to look good on the break, a number of free kicks won and a good chance to get our feet on the ball. One of these free kicks was met by Mike van de Mortel who was unlucky not to see his effort go goalwards. A good run by James Tranter found a good cross that was just missed by Christian Wills.
Another free kick to Faringdon 25 yards out was well struck by James Taylor into the bottom corner. Town back in the game 1-1. We continued to battle hard and rode our luck at times but managed to get to halftime 1-1. We spoke about being in a good position to take this game by the scruff of the neck.
However, it looked as if we stayed in the changing rooms. Within 5 minutes of the restart, Town were 2-1 down. A corner was cleared to the edge of the box but the player wasn’t closed down, he drilled his shot towards goal and it was deflected in by Newent’s striker. Town then had a great counter move which James Tranter drove to the byline, came inside and pulled the ball back for Adam Sly to score. Unfortunately, the linesman said the ball went out of play even though he was 30 yards away! The ref gave the goal initially then disallowed it. Town were not dealing with the long ball and Newent capitalised. Two quick goals from long balls caught Town out who were close to being 2-2 were now 4-1 down.
This got Town going and we were the better side for the last 20 minutes of the game. Another good run from Tranter coming inside the box, twisting and turning was fouled, penalty. Up stepped captain Matty Pill who coolly smashed the ball in 4-2.
Within 5 minutes town hit the bar, a great shot from Rob Owen. Newent were catching Town on the break and we were lucky that the Newent forwards put their efforts wide. Town created another couple of half chances but the game fizzled out and Town lost 4-2.
A disappointing spell of ten minutes at the start of the game and 20 minutes after the restart lost this game for us. We worked extremely hard as a team and deserved to get a couple of goals. Looked good going forwards but could of potentially dealt with the goals better than we did.
Having not played for a month and facing top of the league it was a tough game but the lads blew out the cobwebs and should be proud of a lot of our play. The fight, desire and character showed, to not roll over and finish the game strongly was a massive positive that we must take into next week. Commitment to training has been brilliant so I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before these commitments and the effort levels shown will bring us the results.
Man of the match: James Tranter – superb effort levels and showed good quality on the ball to create chances for his teammates.
