Guildford City 2 Farnham Town 6

Combined Counties Premier Division South, Saturday 8th October

Saturday saw me over in Surrey at the Guildford Spectrum as visitors Farnham Town grabbed their first win in five after netting six against struggling hosts Guildford City on a lovely sunny October afternoon.

Me and my friend were over in Guildford to watch the Ice Hockey at the Leisure Centre that evening, and we discovered that City played in the athletics stadium on the same grounds, so it was a no brainer that we would go and watch this Combined Counties Premier South contest, and even though I am not a fan of athletics stadiums, the view from the vast seating area was not to bad as it was raised high above the surface.

The pitch itself looked fairly decent too, although it was quite bobbly in places as we found out when the match did begin, but compared to some pitches I have seen elsewhere, this one wasn't to bad, there was a nice little clubhouse and tea bar there too, so everything you need at a football ground, so all in all, it wasn't to bad indeed. (the burgers did look nice but I was still full up from a KFC I had had on way to Guildford!!!)

The hosts were having a tough season on the pitch so far this season though, losing seven of their nine league games so far and sitting fourth bottom as a result, Farnham themselves sat bang in mid table (tenth) with three wins, two draws, and four defeats in their nine games, but with no win in five their decent start was evaporating.

It was the struggling hosts who grabbed the opening goal in this one, when a looping cross from Charlie Samuel was knocked down at the back post by Leon Dadey and saw Ashley Hitchinson pounce to poke home from close range in the 14th minute, and although the visitors had began the better, they found themselves a goal behind.

Six minutes later though Farnham responded with an equaliser when a low driven cross from the right found Rob Carr at the far post who managed to covert, and then with six minutes of the half remaining they went in front themselves when Ellis flighted a ball over the top to Carr who volleyed a wonderful ball across goal, into the path of Seb Karczewski who didn't have to break stride and thumped home, it was a wonderful assist from Carr, and the visitors now had a deserved lead.

However, that lead was to last barely a minute, as to their credit, Guildford responded superbly, as a superb low ball from the left into the the box from Samuel found Dadey who applied the finishing touch in off the far post, and it meant the sides went into the half at 2-2 with everything to play for in the second period, although the visitors had probably been the better side so far, despite the score line.

It was the visitors though who were to restore their lead early in the second period, as a ball forward was missed by a defender, allowing Will Hellestoe to get in behind and fire a lovely finish into the roof of the net for a debut goal, could the visitors now go on and stamp their authority on this contest and finally see off a plucky home side.

Well, they were unable to capitalise on more pressure, and then nearly paid the price with eleven minutes to go when Guildford someone failed to score when they volleyed against the bar from point blank range, but thereafter Farnham were to run away with it and record a comfortable win.

In the 85th minute they finally sealed the deal with a fourth as a quick counter saw a Connor Young effort well saved, but with the defence slow to react he quickly sent the loose ball over the keeper and into the net for a very well taken goal, and then three minutes into stoppage time James Batchelor got in behind the creaking home defence before sliding across to Young who finished with ease for his second in a matter of minutes.

And there was still time for Farnham to add a sixth as five minutes into stoppage time Tom Smith drilled home after another counter attack and end the visitors five match run without a win in style. Farnham do stay in tenth though despite this win, but it will be a welcome one that is for sure.

As for Guildford well, they were second best for the majority of this contest, and did well to stay in it for as long as they did, but after Farnham's fourth goal they fell apart and on this showing it looks like it might be a long season for them, and they slip to third bottom on goal difference as a result of this hammering too.

Full time Guildford City 2 Farnham Town 6