MATCH VERDICT
Peter Wade
@PeterWa76773639
FARNBOROUGH FC 0-0 TORQUAY UNITED – MATCH SUMMARY
Well it’s a point and we didn’t concede so there were positives, however, the rest was pretty poor, with precious little quality from either side. Was it a coincidence that with Dawson back, then for the first time in ages a team did not come straight through the middle at us. He lasted 60 minutes and did what we saw last season and have so badly missed this season, somebody looking solid in midfield. So with Jarvis doing 95 minutes, Stobbs 10 then Gary has no more excuses, as this is what he has been telling us was the problem; so we will flying up the table now…
Actually, we won’t, as this was a pretty awful game. Farnborough had three tactics; 1. Waste time from the first minute and go for the point, 2. Punt the ball high and long, 3. Take long throws on both sides that chewed up large amounts of time. As the commentator told us between telling us about every goal going in the NLS, the ball was in play for 20 minutes and 50 seconds in the first half.
It was another of our slow starts as we hardly touched the ball in the first 10 minutes, although a lovely turn/dummy by Lapslie almost set Jarvis up. It was Farnborough lumping it forward our three centre halves, who played well in fairness in that they won their headers and smacked it clear, and when we did get the ball giving it way with poor passing. McGavin was particularly poor in this department, oh and the tackling one in that he did not win one tackle all game.
We had a bit of a spell after 20 minutes, Jude-Boyd was getting forward and looking dangerous and Jenkins Davies did get on to one of his runs but shot into the side netting. But then back came Boro with a shed load of crosses and long throws. However, there was a moment when we looked like we had to score as Jarvis battled for possession in the box and the ball dropped to Jenkins Davies, who had to score but somehow didn’t.
The second began with Jarvis getting booked for being kicked, one of a few strange decisions by the ref. We began slowly again and Farnborough hit the woodwork when a long shot hit Lapslie and landed on the bar, then Halstead was called to make his only real save of the match, diving smartly to his left.
The same could be said at the other end when ‘Shooter’ got one of his belters off and the keeper clawed it away. It was truly horrible football, we did at least try to play out from the back but then tried to hit Jarvis and DOA. There was another ‘he must score’ moment, at our end this time with Moxey somehow clearing off the line.
But the game faded out really with both sides happy with a point – at least we learned that going into this evening’s games 1131 goals had been scored in the NLS so far this season from the commentator who did his best to claim it was entertaining and that Lapslie was amazing in the first half; I think he was watching a different game to me. The return of Stobbs was good news and he put a couple of good crosses in.
But at least we did not lose and there is perhaps hope going into Saturday’s game with Aveley, not a lot but some.
PLAYER RATINGS
1. GK: Mark Halstead – 6
Good handling and a couple of decent saves
5. CB: Austen Booth – 6
Better, won his headers and did not make mistakes
6. CB: Ross Marshall – 6
A booking for being caught out of position but did his job.
16. CB: Ronny Nelson – 6
Defensively sound, some of his passing was poor but a good start.
21. LWB: Dean Moxey – 6
The usual resolute Deano and a brilliant goal-line clearance. Lasted 80 minutes
2. RWB: Arkell Jude-Boyd – 7
Got forward well, our only real outlet out wide, but did not always cross when he had made himself space.
28. MF: Kevin Dawson – 6
The player we have missed, a quiet but effective game – get fit Kevin.
14. MF: Brett McGavin – 5
Drifted through the game, lost all his tackles and gave the ball away far too much.
4. MF: Tom Lapslie – 6
Ran around, got in the refs and a number of opposition’s ears, without really influencing the game.
18. MF: Will Jenkins Davies – 5
A quiet game had a couple of half chances that he did not take.
9. ST: Aaron Jarvis – 6
Played the whole game, worked hard, brought others in to the game as he does but did not look threatening, great he is back.
Subs
19. ST: Duane Ofori-Acheampong – 5
27. RW: Jack Stobbs – 6
MAN OF THE MATCH – ARKELL JUDE-BOYD
Hard as nobody stood out amongst a team of battlers on they night. In the end I went for Arkell Jude-Boyd as he had some moments of quality in the attacking third in the first half and did nothing wrong defensively.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Mark Halstead grabs my first honourable mention. He made a couple of good saves and looked more confident. Then the three centre halves who won their headers, passing was not always great but they were up for the battle against a lot of high balls.
TACTICS
A 3-4-2-1 I suppose but with two central midfield players as the widish players there was rarely anybody to pass out to. But it worked, even if it was against a poor side. Also to be fair the whole team battled.
OPPOSITION
Another pretty poor NLS side who did not try to play the ‘beautiful game’ just launched it and hoped. Like us their passing was often poor and they had little idea with the ball on the ground.
THE OFFICIALS
Referee had an alright game and didn’t have a lot of decisions to make, but still made a few odd ones, especially with bookings. Talked a lot to the players but was guilty of not letting the players get on with it at free kicks.
CONCLUSION
Yes it was better, a better shape and they battled but there was little quality and the passing was not great. We did not create much so let’s hope the return of Stobbs and Jarvis brings some goals.
COYY – PETER
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