Match Report
Cobham 1 v 0 Egham Town, League, March 29th 2008
Report by Nigel Rousell.
The hour before kick-off saw a heavy downpour of rain and sleet making the pitch just about playable. With a strong crosswind, it took both teams a little while to adjust to the tricky conditions. Play the ball in the air and the wind did strange things to it, play it on the ground and with the wet sticky conditions again made the ball unpredictable.
But to the credit of both teams they came to grips with it and soon the attacking football began with a Michael Hicks effort cleared off the line, nearly putting the home side one up. On 20 minutes a right wing cross from the visitors was caught on the wind and a back pedalling Rory Parsons in the home goal managed to tip it onto the bar and away for a corner. Cobham started to control the game with both Dalhouse and Mark Knight up front starting to test the Egham goalkeeper - in the space of 10 minutes Knight could have easily scored a hatrick with only the goalie keeping it level. There was strong penalty appeal as Dan Rousell appeared to be pulled back with only the keeper to beat, but the referee, who had a good game, waved away the home team's pleas. There were no more chances but Cobham had produced their best half of football for some time.
The start of the second half saws Joe Stevens replaced by Shane Rideout making three youth team players on the pitch, surely a sign that confirms the future is bright. Cobham started the second half strong and with only a minute on the clock, Knight rounded the keeper to slot home, only to see his effort ruled out for offside, for all his troubles he received a yellow card for kicking the ball away. Again the Egham goalie saved well following a free kick from Mark Remnant, finding Rideout at the back post only for his fine volley to be kept out by the Egham 'keeper. Then Egham had their only real chance of the half when a corner found a visiting forward unmarked, his effort was blocked on the line. There then followed an almighty scramble involving several players from both sides fumbling for the ball, with a goal looking likely, but to everyone's relief it popped out and was cleared. On 65 minutes the deadlock was finally broken and it went to the home side as an inch perfect pass from Remnant played in Knight, who was this time waved on by the assistant referee. As the keeper came out he lifted the ball over him to send the home crowd wild. Cobham continued to press home the advantage and had several more chances to increase their lead, the most notable, David Andrews who headed over from close range. The final 10 minutes saw Egham Town pressing for the equaliser as Michael Hicks made way for Mark McKendrick, a tactical switch to provide more defensive steel to the left hand side.
But Egham really didn't threaten much and Cobham were able to see out the closing stages to secure a much needed home win.
