FARNHAM TN 1, GUILDFORD CITY 2

FARNHAM are still looking for their first victory since November 3 after the latest instalment of two games in three days resulted in two more losses, leaving Town well adrift in the bottom two of the Combined Counties League Premier Division.

However, defeat to Guildford City in the Hog’s Back Derby on Saturday was more than a little harsh, although a pulsating encounter provided fine entertainment for a large crowd at the Memorial Ground.

Both teams came flying out of the blocks, but it was City who got the vital early goal on 13 minutes. Nathaniel Williams was allowed to bring the ball forward unchallenged and although Richard Ossai did well to parry the powerful shot, Dan Stewart reacted quickest to knock home the rebound.

Farnham didn’t let their heads drop, though, and created chances of their own until Nick Medcraft restored parity in the 27th minute.

Tom Smith cut inside from the left and slid a delightful through-ball with the outside of his boot into the path of Medcraft who picked his spot from the edge of the area.

Soon, Medcraft could have made it 2-1 following more good work from Smith, but this time saw his shot drift agonisingly wide.

And just before half-time, Adam Horton put in a superb low cross that Medcraft, given a more advanced role, was a blade of grass away from connecting with.

The second half was just as entertaining and Guildford felt they should have had a penalty when Kiye Martin was brought down, but officials adjudged the offence to have been outside the area.

Town had a confident appeal of their own turned down when substitute Stan Staines appeared to be bundled over in the area.

Guildford began to gain the upper hand, but Stewart missed an excellent chance to score his second goal and it seemed that Farnham would pick up a hard-earned point,.

Then Town’s late-goal curse struck again.

Jordan Gallagher’s low cross from the left found its way to substitute Evander Lopes who turned neatly and smashed home an unstoppable eight-yard shot.

Guildford don’t have anything to play for in terms of promotion or relegation, but the joyous celebrations of their players and supporters showed just how much this local-derby victory meant to them.

Farnham have only three league games to save themselves. However, it is worth pointing out that none of the Combined Counties clubs have any idea how many sides will be promoted or relegated from either division, due to the FA’s re-organisation of the non-league pyramid and new ground-grading rules

Farnham visit Banstead Athletic this Saturday in search of that elusive league victory. On Tuesday, Town are away to CB Hounslow and their season ends on April 28 with the return home fixture against Balham.

BALHAM 3,

FARNHAM 0

BALHAM, enjoying an excellent first season at this level, finished convincing winners of the first meeting between the clubs last Thursday.

Farnham made an encouraging start and were unlucky not to take the lead when Max Meaton’s rasping drive was tipped over.

Balham played slick football, though, using the wings to great effect and deservedly took the lead on 23 minutes when a slide-rule pass put Ibz Olutade clear and with defenders appealing in vain for offside, he slotted calmly into the bottom corner.

The rest of the first half was goalless and ended prematurely as a floodlight failure plunged the Wibbandune Sports Ground into darkness.

It took three minutes of the second half for Farnham to wish that the lights had stayed off. An innocuous cross from Tomasz Wocial somehow slipped underneath the feet of two defenders and found its way past a wrong-footed Richard Ossai.

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Farnham and the Wandsworth side wrapped it up on 56 minutes as Tom Fosse found the back of the net.

Just to complete a miserable night for the visitors, Meaton was dismissed for a late second yellow card, leaving him suspended for the Banstead match this weekend.

• Badshot Lea look set to finish runners-up in Division One. The Baggies won 6-1 at Eversley & California on Tuesday with goals from Nick Thumwood (3), Gary Adamson, Darren Blake and Brad Smith.

• Farnham were predictably knocked out of the Aldershot Senior Cup on Tuesday, beaten 6-2 by Southern League side Hartley Wintney. After conceding three goals in the first 10 minutes, Town fought bravely back to 4-2 with goals from Adam Horton (pen) and Nick Medcraft and were unlucky not to be awarded a second penalty.