TT No.143: Paul Roth - Saturday 15th December 2007; Kent County League Division 2 West;            Hawkhurst Utd vs. Farnboro' OBG; Res: 2-3; Att: 40; Entry: Free; Prog: 8 pp, free (produced by the away team)  Weather: Cold and bright.

 

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When I visited Farnborough OBG FC last season for one of their home matches I came away with a distinct liking for this particular football club, and so when I heard they were producing matchday programmes for their away games now, this trip down to lovely Hawkhurst on the Kent/Sussex border became 'de rigueur'.
 
After finishing the Sussex County League some time ago, a trip down to this neck of the woods is a most infrequent jaunt for myself, so the 51 mile drive from my home in Margate today was most pleasant. Apart from the dual carriageway to Faversham, I took country roads all the way across to the Sussex border and dipped into that County for a couple of GBG 'ticks', namely at Burwash Weald and Salehurst. 
 
The charming King George V playing fields, situated at 'The Moor' about a mile South of Hawkhurst itself on the A229, is a scenic venue to watch football, being surrounded by trees, old houses, a church and the village green, opposite. The Eight Bells pub, who sponsor the homesters, is just along from the field of play and there is a Spar shop nearby if you need other foodstuffs. There was nothing on offer food or drink-wise at the venue today. 
 
Earlier in the week, as stated earlier, I had been told by fellow 'hopper, Steve Crawley, that Farnborough OBG were issuing for away games, and after having that confirmed by club guru Shaun Keddle, this top-of-the-table clash seemed the natural place to be for my Saturday afternoon entertainment. Interestingly, Hawkhurst United have themselves started issuing programmes, and although there wasn't one today, they are going to produce a copy especially for the three 'hoppers present. I have seen a copy of an old one, produced for a recent game versus Larkfield and New Hythe Wanderers, but that was quickly snaffled up by Mr.Crawley, I should say!  Roland Reeve made up our threesome.
 
The 'home' programme is a really well crafted effort by Shaun, and within it's  8 pages are manager's notes, league table, forthcoming fixtures, 'Golden Boot' leading scorers section, appearances, squad pics, league results grid, a squad profile and an amusing look-alike of the week caption. All in glorious colour! One word for it.....MAGNIFICENT.
 
The match proper was a very tight affair, and when half time brought goalless parity I feared goals might be at a premium. Two minutes into the restart Barry Cleaver dispelled those doubts by notching the visitors in front, only for the Hawks, in red, to hit back immediately. Again, the Old Boys retook the lead, and once more Hawkurst equalised with S.Sands tucking away a smart effort. Farnborough eventually won this hard fought match, and the precious three points that go with it, with a well taken goal from Moulson, after some great work down their left flank. Not used to losing on home soil, the hosts' players became increasingly niggled as their efforts to salvage a point were thwarted, and they paid dearly when they had a player sent from the field for a second bookable offence.
 
I stated above that I had a bit of a soft spot for Farnborough OBG FC, so it was most pleasing that they triumphed, but I'm convinced both these sides will be playing in Division 1 West next season.
 
A cracking game of football, played in lovely surroundings on a bitterly cold Mid-December afternoon and back indoors by just after 5pm! What more could a man want?
 
FGIF Rating 5*

 

contributed on 15/12/07