Farrington, without a league win all season, made the trip to league leaders, Chew Magna, with a hope that their poor start to the season would be forgotten and they could enjoy a new start under new Manager, Martin Cox.
The visitors made a few changes and after a spirited team talk began the game brightly. Chew, who were the league’s top scorers, found the visitors a tougher proposition than expected, as Farrington fought for every ball and made life difficult for their high flying hosts. Dan Baber, recalled to the Farrington team, was instantly causing the home side problems, and Chew struggled to prise the ball from him, Ricky Jenkins and James Colman, who hustled the opposition into making mistakes and soon Farrington were creating chance after chance.
Chew were reduced to playing long balls from the back, which James Baskett and Tony Bennett easily dealt with. Craig Robertson and Leon Rigby on the wings were a constant thorn in Chew’s defence and Chew, with some last ditch defending, were forced to concede a free kick just outside the box. Robertson chipped the free kick to the back post, where Ant Burden headed the ball back into the danger area, a half-hearted clearance found its way to James Colman, who smashed the ball into the net from twenty yards to give the visitors a deserved lead.
At the break, the hard-working Burden was replaced by Brett Vine and as the second half began, Chew went from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 to try and affect the game but struggled to get a hold. Farrington kept their shape and discipline and Chew were again reduced to the long ball, Dom Hitchcock and Jon Filer. Farrington had the better of the half and created a few more chances and despite James Colman having to leave the field for ten minutes due to injury, he valiantly went back on to protect his side’s slender lead. Jason Carter, in the visitors’ goal was a relative spectator, but on the odd occasion he was called into action, he ably dealt with everything Chew threw at him. Farrington eventually managed to gain their first league win of the season and can look forward to a new era with optimism. Farrington’s Man of the Match was all the players – as it was truly a team effort!
Martin Cox