Manager Craig Faulconbridge and coach Keith Walker will have left leafy Surrey on Saturday tea-time wondering just why they were returning home pointless when certainly a draw or indeed a win would have been a more deserving outcome. Whatever the disappointing result, the performance provided good entertainment, particularly in a very one sided second half, for the hardy handful of FC followers on the first real sunny football afternoon of the spring.

The whole game was settled within the first minute as late comers were still taking their seats. Town’s Warren Harris broke down the right and crossed for namesake Scott Harris who knocked the ball past Simeon Charles for a 1-0 lead. On four minutes Jack Broome had the chance to make it 2-0 but fired over when in a decent position. Johnnie Dyer, who enjoyed great success in the recent game at the Affinity Investments Stadium, had another clear chance for Town but his shot from the left cleared Simeon’s post without really worrying the keeper. The highlight of the game from the visiting fan’s point of view that far had been a stumble by the referee on 10 minutes but gradually FC came into the match led by the authoritative Ben Stevens. A driven Sonny French free kick on 12 minutes hinted at more success to come. On 19 minutes not one but two air shots by Matarr Touray and then Brian Haule, with the goal gaping, had FC heads in hands. The home team’s Michael Blount forced a good save from Simeon with a low free kick a few minutes later. From the resultant corner, the home team created another excellent chance but Simeon once again blocked at the back post. Danger man Scott Harris had Town’s next shot with Simeon Charles saving well with his feet. On 38 minutes Brian Haule had a decent effort which swerved in the air but just cleared the bar. Matarr Touray had another chance to fire in a shot but was blocked as he was pulling the trigger and then an attempted chip of the keeper by Brian Haule again went over rather than under the bar.

The second half was all about Kwasi Frempong, Davis Haule and Sonny French winning the ball in the midfield areas and feeding the overlapping full backs and forwards. Matarr Touray collected one of these balls but Jake Somerville, in the Goldalming net, did well to rush out and gather. On 51 minutes Brian Haule caused chaos in the defence forcing Somerville to clear the ball only as far as Sonny French whose drive was blocked by the Town defence. Stuart Bryant had the next chance on 52 minutes but he rather snapped at his shot when time and composure were the required attributes. Next came FC’s best chance of the game to equalise. Matarr fed Stuart Bryant. Stuart rounded the keeper but with defenders on the line, he blasted the ball goalwards only for a goal line hugging defender to head the ball clear. On 60 minutes FC had another gilt-edged chance to equalise. The industrious Bryant put in a useful cross that split the home defence. Brian Haule connected whilst free of his marker but contrived to head wide with only the keeper to beat. Sonny French had a chance just a minute or two later side footing a chance past the keeper but also past the post. FC’s defence marshalled by Ben Stevens and the diligent Kevin Ayodele were seeing little attacking threat but they still had to be on their toes, for example in the 70th minute when an Adam Foulser shot just cleared the bar. Eleven minutes from time a lofted cross/shot from Max Farelley almost fooled the keeper and he did well to stop it looping into the top corner. Dan Read almost stole a march on Simeon Charles at the other end before FC’s final chance of note, a Stuart Bryant chip which again cleared the bar.

Line Up's
1 Simeon Charles.
2 Max Farrelly.
3 Luke Abraham. Yellow Card (78')
4 Kwasi Frempong.
5 Ben Stevens. Man of the Match
6 Kevin Ayodele.
7 Davis Haule.
8 Stuart Bryant.
9 Brian Haule.
10 Sonny French.
11 Matarr Touray. Sub Off (70')

Used Sub
14 Lynton Goss. Sub On (70')

Unused Sub
12 Craig Faulconbridge.