– Moreton Rangers 3-1 Faringdon town
Our first journey to a new ground this season took us to Moreton in the Marsh to play last seasons joint runners up. With the clouds darkening every minute it felt like floodlights were needed at 3pm! The heavens opened and Town kicked off. The Don found themselves under pressure from the start, the opening ten minutes were tricky and faced a couple of corners. Town were finding it difficult to deal with the conditions and a poorly cleared effort, hit the Town full back bounced kindly into the path of the Moreton front man who drilled a half volley from 20 yards straight into the net. Town 1-0 down.
Town tried to rally with Matty Pill and Daz Sawala pushing to get Town playing in the middle, with Christian Wills and Richstd Evans working hard up top. After 20 mins Moreton doubled their lead. Town got caught in possession, and the same Moreton forward was slipped in behind the defence and coolly finished past the helpless Town keeper. 2-0 down.
The rain stopped and Town looked a different side, started competing all over the pitch. A great chance fell for Richard Evans on the stroke of half time that sadly went begging which could of seen The Don go in at half time abit more confident.
At the break 2-0 down.
The management and team spoke about a few things and expected a reaction, this we got!
After the break town were putting passes together and looked a lot more settled, the pitch was skiddy but Faringdon were now competing.
Town changed formation and went for it, this invited Moreton to try and counter and they nearly took the third goal except for a clearance off the line from Josh Forth.
Moreton were under pressure now and slowing the play down at every opportunity. With ten minutes left town got the goal they deserved, captain Martyn gatehouse cleared down the line to substitute Jordan Wilkins who drove in from the left hand side and drilled a shot into the top right hand corner of the net, Town back in it at 2-1 and pushing! Faringdon bombarded Moreton for the last ten mins repeatedly knocking on the door for that equaliser, Louis Bowers and Christian Wills both having good efforts blocked. With town pushing it was inevitable that the last kick of the game saw Moreton get their third. Town gave the ball away cheaply and the Moreton forward got his hat trick pinging the ball into the top corner. Final whistle 3-1
Shame The Don couldn’t deal with the conditions and found themselves 2-0 down due to silly mistakes. It could of been a different game if the chance was taken on half time, but a great come back second half which saw Faringdon grow in confidence. The comeback was close and Town deserve a lot of credit for very nearly snatching a point at last years runners up. No doubts a more competitive first half back at Tucker Park in the return fixture, will see an even tighter game.
Man of the Match – Matty Pill
