FARNHAM TN 3, RAYNES PARK 1

AFTER their narrow midweek defeat to Epsom & Ewell, Farnham bounced back with an important victory over Raynes Park Vale. The three points ensures Town’s Premier Division status in the Combined Counties League.

The game got off to a dramatic start at the Memorial Ground, with both sides scoring inside three minutes.

With barely a minute gone, Darren Wilson put Farnham in front with a bullet header from Tom Smith’s cross.

But the lead lasted little more than a minute as Raynes Park exploited some slack work in the home defence and Mal Thomas snapped up the equaliser.

An end-to-end tussle ensued, with both keepers seeing plenty of action. But Farnham were sharper in front of goal and a Jack Dillon strike restored their lead on the half-hour.

The second half was again hard-fought, but on 53 minutes Smith chipped in Farnham’s third goal to make sure of the points.

Farnham lost goalkeeper Richard Ossai and the influential Jon Lancashire to injuries at half-time. This meant a comeback after injury for Matt Petts who kept a clean sheet in the second 45 minutes.

* Only two of the scheduled Premier Division fixtures survived the weather on Easter Monday. Farnham’s match at Westfield was called off, as was the local derby between Badshot Lea and Camberley.

Next Tuesday (April 5), Farnham meet Alresford Town in the semi-final of the Aldershot Senior Cup, kick-off 7.45 at Arlebury Park.

* Farnham Town FC were delighted with the success of their U12 teams who competed in a tournament in Holland over the Easter break

The Red team came home with the cup after beating Luton in the final and the Blues came third, defeating the other Luton side on penalties. A great achievement for the club’s under-12 age group.