Cobham Football Club

Report by Dan Whitby.

BRANIGAN SPARKS BUT COBHAM FAIL TO IGNITE

Cobham huffed and puffed but they simply couldnt blow the Colliers Wood house down in a game that could have gone either way.

The game began with very few chances with Colliers Wood just shading the territorial advantage but initially lacking the edge to test goalkeeper Ayres. Cobham couldn't seem to get going however Davies tested the Colliers Wood left back with his blistering pace but as was the theme throughout the opening stages there was plenty of endeavor but no end product.

Colliers Wood made the breakthrough with a bursting run from midfield and the ball found its way to the home player who was completely unmarked and slotted past Ayres.

Cobham couldnt find any way to respond, limping in at half time without even testing the Colliers Wood goalkeeper. Stern words were required at half time to try and ensure they came out in the second half much improved - and in the second half they looked like a different side! They looked light, bright and showed far more ambition. They finally tested the Colliers Wood keeper with a venomous free kick from Avallano which stung the fingertips. They continued to press and got their reward 10 minutes into the second half; a long throw from Painter was only half cleared by the defender back to Painter who drilled the ball back into the box. Davies brought the ball down and set it for Branigan who, with his back to goal, turned expertly and shot in one explosive movement to give the goalkeeper no chance.

Colliers Wood looked like they were ready to implode. Cobham pressed and pressed and pressed but were simply not clinical enough. They paid the full penalty as lively the Colliers striker picked the ball up just inside his own half and ran at the Cobham back four turning them inside out before firing low into the corner. Cobhams defending was brought into question once again. The goal seemed to settle Colliers Wood down and they began to relax on the ball but Cobham were not going to roll over. New signing Josh Hopkins expertly curled a free kick with the outside of his boot around the wall but it was turned away excellently by the goalkeeper. Hopkins then missed a glorious opportunity when through on goal but didnt quite get the connection on the ball he would have liked. Hopkins then set off on a mazy run before a low cross to Quigley who turned inside the 6 yard box but went for placement rather than power and his shot was parried by the keeper.

Cobham switched to 3-5-2 although Colliers Wood had the better of the last 10 minutes with the visitors unable to fashion an equaliser winner and couldn't trouble Colliers Wood as the final whistle approached.

Cobham: Ayres, Painter, Shorter, May, Petters, Davies (Hanlon), Gengasamy, Blakeman (Hopkins), Avellano (Quigley), Branigan, Herbert,