Farnham Town 2 - 2 Egham Town

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COMBINED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
FARNHAM TOWN 2 (1) EGHAM TOWN 2 (1)
6 August 2011
Egham Town scorers: Marcus Moody (5) Dale Marvell (78)

Egham Town's first game of the new season ended in frustration for all concerned with a 2-2 draw away to newly promoted Farnham Town. Of the starting XI four (Paul Borg in goal, right back Dan Hartlebury, centre back Ken During, and attacking midfielder Dale Marvell) were making their competitive debuts, and three (Marcus Moody, Lee Pasmore and Jake Galbraith) were returning to the club. A good series of pre-season results, with one loss, three draws and a win over Metropolitan Police meant that the visitors made their way to The Memorial Ground in good heart, which was evident from the kick off. Within two minutes Egham's Jamie Houghton smacked a 20 yard shot which hit the foot of the left post. Three minutes later Egham took the lead. Moody, playing out on the right, cut inside and tricked his way past two men before being upended. He took the free kick, short to Dale Marvell, who went off on a run that Moody used as a decoy before shaping up for superb 25 yard chip shot that sailed over the head of Arjuna Adlam in the Farnham goal for what should have been a nerve-settling early lead. Egham have not won an opening game in any of their previous five CCL campaigns (three draws and two home thumpings) so it was looking good for the Sarnies as they looked to capitalise on an understandably jittery home defence. Egham youth player Brendan Matthew, still only 16, was only denied his first league goal by a block tackle as Matt Grave's shot was deflected. Egham were looking confident throughout, which may have been why During overdid it in the 12th minute, letting in Brad Smith for a shot that the defender was glad to see go well wide. Houghton won a corner with a deflected 30 yard wallop, and Grave and Matthew combined for the former to hit the same spot on the same post as Houghton had done earlier. By the time Grave and Moody had combined in the 43rd minute for Moody to have the same luck the home side were level, Mark Corbett taking advantage of the time he was given for a well placed lob over Paul Borg. Houghton again tried his luck, after a fine solo run, but his shot was narrowly over the target.
The second half was understandably played at a slightly less frantic pace than the first, and the first 20 minutes slipped by uneventfully, aside from Marvell's wayward free kick seven minutes in. However Egham were feeling aggrieved as some of the Farnham tackles went in with more bite than was called for. Farnham in turn felt the same about one or two the other way. Egham felt sufficiently agitated that representations have been made to the relevant authorities about the way referee Craig Martin handled the match. As far as the action was concerned another Houghton effort went whizzing narrowly wide, hitting the pole supporting the right hand side of the net, and Egham made a change that indicated that more defensive solidity and greater punch up front were both required, Matthew being replaced by centre back Aarron Taylor-Ives and Marvell going into a more central forward position. However, within seconds of the switch the ball spun off an Egham leg, forcing Borg to pull of the save of the match with a desperate pawing of the ball off his line. A foul on Grave as he broke free, seemingly by the last man but not seen as such by the officials, did nothing to quell Egham's ire. Apart from the free kick which Grave wasted all that was given was a caution to full back Gavin Brainch. Luke Whiddett, Corbett and Johnny Fisk, all from Farnham, were booked in quick succession. That defensive solidity Egham were seeking was nowhere to be seen in the 77th minute as Taylor-Ives' back pass left Borg stranded and having to attempt to fly hack the ball clear. Unfortunately for Egham the ball cannoned off Smith and rolled slowly over the line. If there is one thing that John Hamsher appears to have instilled in his side it is a refusal to accept defeat. In the pre-season games against Ashford and Chertsey they went behind twice and thrice respectively, to draw 2-2 and 3-3. Led by skipper Moody Egham were quick in showing the same determination, the skilful winger taking a throw from Galbraith before slaloming his way into the box to deliver a low cross that fell for Marvell to score from six yards for a 78th minute equaliser. Egham looked capable of grabbing a win in a match they should have had sewn up with twelve minutes remaining, but could have lost it six minutes into time added on as Borg tried to shepherd a loose ball out, only to be alarmingly inconvenienced by Corbett, who got a toe to the ball before any further danger developed.
Egham have two home games next, against Ash United on Tuesday (who drew 2-2 with Wembley) and Mole Valley SCR on Saturday (who lost 2-6 at home to Guildford City).

EGHAM TOWN: Paul Borg, Dan Hartlebury, Jake Galbraith, Ken During, Luke Muldowney, Lee Pasmore, Marcus Moody, Jamie Houghton, Dale Marvell, Matt Grave, Brendan Matthew. Subs: Frankie Driver, Jake Joslin, Josh Henry, Aarron Taylor-Ives.