More Added Time Drama Sees Farnham Town Secure Another Home Win.
If this season is saying anything, it’s “whatever you do, don’t leave early!”
Seemingly dead and buried with ten minutes to play, the Town turned the game around and sealed victory in the 97th minute.
As might be expected from a side seeking their fourth straight league win, it was Farnham who started strongly, taking the lead after five minutes when ‘goal machine’ Shamal Edwards reacted quickest to a defensive error to swivel and prod home his shot from six yards for his tenth goal in seven games.
Yet, somewhat surprisingly, the Town failed to build on this bright start.
A couple of typical snap shots from Lewis Flatman that went just wide of goal, an Owen Dean volley deflected into the side netting, and a clever dribble into the area by Edwards that resulted in a corner being the only other incidents of note as the first half rather limped to its conclusion.
Balham started the second half brighter, and were rewarded on the hour mark when James Anderson scored a ‘Goal of the Season’ contender with a brilliant bicycle kick to level the score and twelve minutes later when the visitors scored a second stunner. This time a curled finish from outside the area from Tomasz Wocial.
With Farnham looking ‘leggy’ after seven games in three weeks, including the long trip to Jersey, it looked like Balham would be going away with all three points. Then, in the 81st minute, Shamal Edwards ran on to a long ball forward and, as the Balham ‘keeper suffered a rush of blood to the head, coming out to clear the ball without making it, Edwards stretched to steer the ball into a now empty net.
After the added time drama at Jersey, the stage was now set for another improbable win.
And it was duly delivered seven minutes into added time when a Tom Smith corner found Lewis Flatman surprisingly free at the far post and the Town striker’s powerful header proved too much for the defender on the line who could only head the ball up and into the roof of the net.
Even then it wasn’t all over!
With what was absolutely the last kick of the game, the Town cleared a final effort off the line to break Balham hearts.
Farnham now face two rearranged fixtures, at home to Redhill on Tuesday and away to Knaphill next Saturday.
On this form, you wouldn’t bet against them picking up another six points!
Huge thanks to our matchday sponsor Covers.
We hope you enjoyed the afternoon and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Wright’s Lion Brewery MOTM : Shamal Edwards
The Town’s next home match is the Combined Counties Premier Division South league game against Redhill on Tuesday 28 March. Kick off 7:45pm
