Match Report
Cobham 3 v 1 Lordswood, FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round, September 22nd 2007
Report by Andy.
Lordswood will be sick of the site of Cobham as once again the Surrey team triumphed in the 2nd Qualifying round of the FA Vase for the second time in consecutive years.
The visitors from Kent however started like they meant business and immediately tested the Cobham resolve by pushing up and trying to break the off-side trap. The home side however just about managed to hold on, bending without breaking, as both sides went at it hammer and tongs. What was increasingly clear though was that Lordswood were no mugs and at this stage were bossing proceedings. The first real goal chance came after 20 minutes as a spot of penalty area pinball fell to a Lordswood forward who struck the ball against the post with Nick McGregor in the Cobham goal motionless. Five minutes later and not even the post could save the home side as Lordswood went 1-up following a corner and a thumping header at the back post after McGregor was left in no-man's land. Strangely after conceeding the goal, Cobham perked up although the visitors were still winning most of the headers and loose balls. HT - 0-1, and Lordswood good value for their lead but perhaps should have scored more from their superior play.
The second half was a much more even affair with whatever Cobham manager Matt Alexander saying in the dressing room having an immediate effect. Within the first few minutes the home side managed to get some shots away and seemed much more on their toes with the reward of an equaliser after 63 minutes following a corner and goalmouth scramble with Dan Summers hammering the ball into the roof of the net. Cobham's defence seemed to be playing a little deeper this half nullifying Lordswood's earlier tactic and as things wore on it became noticeably clear that the visitors were getting increasingly tetchy, and the Hammer's second goal would not have helped matters! A fortunately won free-kick was taken down by Andy Dalehouse on the edge of the area who after miss-kicking his first shot managed to retain some composure to hit his second attempt true and firm into the net. Cobham had a few more chances to close the game down with Dean Pitcher and Marcus Rose looking increasingly dangerous. It was Dalehouse again however who scored Cobham's third with some strong penalty area play and whilst being dragged down managed to knock the ball towards goal, out of the goalkeeper's reach and into the net. From this point onwards the match was never in doubt and although both teams huffed and puffed the score remained the same. FT - 3-1.
Cobham will be very happy with their 2nd half display although Lordswood, who were mouthy throughout, must be ruing their ineffectual dominance in the 1st half (and no doubt blame the faultless referee!).
Cobham team - McGregor, Gunney, Barrett, Merkett, Andrews(c), Summers, Lee, Tooley, Dalehouse (sub Durrans 88 mins), Pitcher (sub Thorne 85 mins), Rose.
Man of the match with 27% of the vote is Marcus Rose.
