Kofi hat-trick sets up Saints win

Hanwell Town  3     Chandiran 9, Simmonds 28, 36

Saints  5     Lockhart-Adams 20, 32, 51, Pink 90+1, Clarke 90+4

Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central  (Tuesday 27 September)

Saints:  Garry Malone, Remmel Clarke, Dave Thomas, Craig Carby, Ryan Wharton (George Fenton 65), Adam Kirby, Tyrone Pink, Alan Hedley, Charlie Strutton (Jack Mullan 90+1), Kofi Lockhart-Adams (Ruddock Yala 65), Jake Cass.

Attendance.  121

Details

Written by Ian

Published: 27 September 2016

Saints sunk by league leaders

Saints  0

Farnborough  2     Smith 21 pen, Shaban 82

Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central  (Saturday 24 September)

An improving Saints performance was not enough to prevent a confident Farnborough side from continuing their dominance of the division.

Looking to return to the form that took them to the top in the early weeks of the season, Saints were unable so dominate a well oiled Farnborough side that oozed confidence. With Craige Tomkins partnering Charlie Strutton in attack, Saints had the challenge of taking on the meanest defence in the division and had only scraps to work with as much of the build up work played into the defenders strengths. At the other end, Farnborough moved smoothly, keeping the ball on the ground and Saints, inspired by the outstanding Ryan Wharton, were equally frugal in the opportunities they allowed. 

It took an unusually rash challenge by Dave Thomas to bring down the impressive Josh Huggins to concede a penalty after 21 minutes which Eddie Smith converted to give the visitors the lead.

Dean McDonnell had a shot charged down at the other end soon after but the first half finished with both sides cancelling each other out with Farnborough just edging things.

A strong save at the start of the second half by Garry Malone kept Saints in the hunt and they slowly hauled themselves back into the game. Switching Tyrone Pink to the left flank opened up the Farnborough defence and prevented Huggins the free rein down the flanks that had caused so many problems in the first half. The introduction of Jake Cass and Aaron Morgan livened things up but they needed to be pushing higher up the field if they were to cause a real problem. A through ball by Alan Hedley that Tyrone Pink ran on to and shot first time served to highlight what was possible but his raking shot thumped the post so hard it ricocheted out for a throw in.

With Saints unable to find a way back into the game and Farnborough equally unable to unpick the dogged home defence, it took a late substitution to finally decide the game. With Remmel Clarke still feeling the effects of his recent injury, Saints were forced to make a change at the back and this allowed Nic Ciardini to expose a moment's hesitation and slide a ball across the face of goal for substitute Sam Shaban to touch home.

Farnborough's boisterous travelling support noisily celebrated their team's win and Saints were left to pick out the positives of their performance and to plot how to get back to winning ways, beginning with a short trip to Hanwell Town on Tuesday.

Saints:  Garry Malone, Remmel Clarke (Craig Carby 78), Dave Thomas, George Fenton, Ryan Wharton, Adam Kirby, Tyrone Pink, Alan Hedley, Craige Tomkins (Aaron Morgan 63), Charlie Strutton, Dean McDonnell (Jake Cass 63).

Attendance.  163     Star Player.  Ryan Wharton

Details

Written by Ian

Published: 24 September 2016

Improving Saints come up short

Potters Bar Town  2     Nathaniel-George 51, Hart 56

Saints  1     Tomkins 59

Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central  (Saturday 10 September)

Match Photos at: https://flic.kr/s/aHskGv8vXb

Details

Written by Ian

Published: 10 September 2016

Read more: Improving Saints come up short