Wars exit the Carlsberg FA Vase

F A Carlsberg Vase – Sunday 11th September 2011
Warlingham F.C. 2 Farnham Town 3 AET

Last year we managed to get through two rounds, eventually succumbing away to Reading Town. This year we were looking to improve on that run and with our first home draw in the competition against Farnham Town we were hopeful that we could progress despite our indifferent early season form.

Farnham were promoted from Division One last year and we drew with them in our two league games last year. So every reason why we should feel confident about a positive outcome.

The Sunday fixture boosted the home crowd to a healthy and expectant 86 on a bright sunny afternoon.

Wars were straight into their stride and in front after just 3 minutes. Spencer got the ball to Martin and his slotted pass found Dias sprinting down the left hand channel. Dias did the rest going past the Farnham defence and belting an unstoppable shot from an acute angle into the roof of the net. Brilliant start.

The boost of confidence was obvious and Wars were dominating the early stages with Dias again with a shot and then Spencer lobbying a forward pass for Dias to challenge and foul the keeper.

After just 14 minutes it all changed again following some skilful work by the Farnham winger as he delivered the ball into the Wars box. Penfold whose touch is normally so assured miscontrolled the ball and White upended the Farnham forward. The ref pointed to the spot and up stepped Corbett. Last season Division One top scorer made no mistake and Coote had no chance. 1-1

Penfold was no affected by the penalty incident and was becoming increasingly influential on his first start at right full back. His work down the right on 17 minutes had Higgins challenging for his cross but diverting the ball wide as Wars started to pressurise again. A succession of corners and throw - ins followed and Farnham defended well. Penfold again burst forward after 26 minutes and Farnham had no answer as he burst through the defence and struck a rising shot from a tight angle and brought an excellent save from the Farnham keeper as the ball flew out for another corner.

Farnham were reduced to playing on the break but were beginning to find their way in the game as Broom made an excellent tackle to snuff out a dangerous incursion down the Wars left. Up the other end and Spencer managed to get his head to a Neaves shot following a corner and the ball was diverted just wide.

After 35 minutes Farnham were in front as Hodge, under pressure, tried to find Coote with a back header but only managed to put the ball into the path of Corbett who instantly sent it soaring over Coote and into the net. 2-1 Farnham

Bugden managed to get himself booked in what was the first of five fussy bookings for Wars in what was a competitive game played in a great spirit. It was the first foul he had committed.

Farnham bounced a header off the Wars bar on 40 minutes and then the dynamic Penfold was off on another run from right back drifting past one defender after another and then hitting the sweetest of left foot shots into the bottom right hand corner. 2-2 after 41 minutes.

Spencer had a great first half holding the ball up and brining others into play and he did just that for Dias on 44 minutes. Dias accelerated into the box and was dumped on the turf by a badly timed tackle and the ref again pointed to the spot. Higgins having missed against Farleigh was replaced by the left footed Neaves as penalty taker. Unfortunately his shot was saved low down to the keeper’s right and a great chance of going in front at half time had passed Wars by. Half time 2-2

Wars came out looking determined in the second half and dominated the early exchanges without creating any serious chances. The injured Bugden was replaced by the returning Nichol after 58 minutes. Martin skimmed the cross bar shortly afterwards following a flowing passing move as Wars tried to pass their way into the game.

Frustration then started to seep through as Wars gave away a succession of free kicks. Higgins was booked for what looked a perfectly fair tackle to me and then Neaves followed him for kicking the ball away after another free kick was awarded to Farnham.

Hodge was becoming increasingly involved in the game as Farnham pushed on and his warrior spirit was obvious to all as he simply refused to be beaten. One free kick looked destined for the Wars net on 87 minutes but Hodge under intense pressure somehow managed to head it our from virtually under his own crossbar.

As the 90 minute mark approach Wars had several good chances to win it. First Spencer flicked goal wards and then Neaves had a free kick cleared. I have no idea how Farnham managed to clear the resultant corner.

Higgins then headed over from a Martin free kick before Dias burst through past 3 defenders only to thwarted by the keeper diving at his flying feet to push the ball to safety. Full time 2-2

With a replay looming on the following Tuesday evening Farnham went in front after just seconds into extra time. Again Coote was lobbed as the ball fell to Bunyan who did very well to beat the Wars keeper with a quick reaction shot. Farnham 3-2

Hodge got his inevitable booking after 95 minutes for protesting about yet another free kick conceded on the edge of the Wars box. The shot went well over.

Manager Giles freshened things up with Roache and Ang on for White and Spencer and Wars did create some pressure before the half was over and time looked to be running out.
Wars came out and gave it everything for the last 15 minutes and really deserved better. Roache shot wide and was looking sharp and Dias was having an increasing influence as Farnham legs tired.

After 11 minutes Dias received the ball in the Farnham box and cut back inside and went down. It was a clear penalty. There was obvious contact and everybody (except the Referee and his Assistant) heard the sound of boots clashing. Even the Farnham fans conceded it was a penalty so all the more baffling as to why the referee not only failed to give the penalty but added insult to injury by booking Dias for his trouble.

Wars kept trying but nothing was going our way (again). The game finished with a Nichol free kick headed on by Higgins and Ang making good contact at the far post but only managing to find the outstretched arms of the relieved Farnham keeper. It finished 3-2 and another frustrating afternoon for Wars.

Team: Coote, Penfold, Hodge, Broom, Neaves, Martin, Higgins, Bugden, Spencer, White, Dias Subs used: Nichol, Roache, Ang Subs not used: Dilley, Lineker

MOM: All the Wars players gave their all and everybody played well and on another day would have run out easy winners. The two outstanding Players were Penfold and Hodge. Penfold had a fantastic first half made all the more impressive because he had not played at right back before and he scored a magnificent goal to put Wars back in the game. He was simply unstoppable for a 20 minute period. Hodge making his first start of the season was a colossus. We have the quietest back four in the league but not when Hodge’s around. He not only gave the Farnham forwards a physical battering he gave them a verbal battering as well. His commitment, drive and warrior spirit was evident all over the pitch. Outstanding and very easy to see why the management team chose him to be club captain. An example to all young and old. A close run thing but Hodgy wins it and Danny Penfold would have won on any other day!!