Match Report
Cobham 1 v 2 Sandhurst Town, League, April 19th 2008
Report by Nigel Rousell.
With Cobham needing to win to stand any chance of staving off relegation, it was to be an explosive start on a cold April day with Dan Rousell and Shane Rideout combining well to set up captain Mark Remnant who volleyed home left footed from the edge of the box. A superb goal in what was Cobham's first attack but in football, 89 minutes is a long time to hold on to the lead. It turned out the lead lasted all of two minutes when, as last week, it was going to be a tale of free kicks - Sandhurst were awarded a free kick which was floated into the back post and as Peter Ruggles got both hands to the ball high above is a head, a subtle nudge from the jumping forward saw him unable to hold on to it and as it hit the ground, the Sandhurst player stabbed home from close range to level the match; Nat Lofthouse would have been proud of a challenge like that! The game continued in this high-octane fashion with both teams going for it and on nine minutes, Cornell Mckoy teed up Andy Dalhouse who saw his shot well blocked by a visiting defender. Then on 14 minutes Dalhouse turned provider, turning well in the box and cutting back to Dean Pitcher who could only hold his head as his left foot effort flashed over the bar. Cobham continued to take the game to their visitors who were struggling with the pace of Mckoy and Rideout and it took a good defensive header to prevent the latter at the back post as he was shaping to volley home. It took until the half hour mark for Sandhurst to register their next effort on target with Ruggles parrying a low shot, the ball fell kindly to the Sandhurst player who put the rebound well over from close range. Half Time 1-1.
Scott Day replaced Remnant who limped off having aggravated his groin strain in what well maybe his last appearance of the season. Then once again Cobham failed to defend a free kick on the edge of their box - the wall looked to be misplaced which allowed Sandhurst to score their second almost passing the free kick in to the net leaving Ruggles rooted to the spot. So six minutes into the second half Cobham found themselves with a mountain to climb. But in the 59th minute the impressive Rideout latched on to a poor punch and as the visiting 'keeper was stranded on the edge of the box, he chipped him from 35 yards and as the ball was dropping it looked to have goal written all over but when lady luck was needed she was found wanting and his effort bounced onto the top of the bar and fell kindly back to the relieved goalie's arms. This was to be Cobham's best chance of the half but they never gave up chasing and pinning Sandhurst into their own half although their efforts were restricted to long range shots and misplaced headers from corners. When Sandhurst Town did venture over into Cobham's half it was to take the ball deep into the corners and waste time. But Sandhurst achieved their aim of running the clock down and the match ended with a defeat in Cobham's last Home match of the season now it's time to start looking at others results and not just in this Division.
