Academy claim first win of the New Year

Following three winless games to start 2012, Farnborough picked up a hard fought three points at bottom side Phoenix Sports on Sunday and subsequently climbed up into the top three of the Kent Central division table.

Despite being at the foot of the table, the hosts proved to be stubborn opponents and will be left wondering how they didn’t take at least a point. But overall, Manager Richard Percy was said to be delighted at the Academy’s first victory of the New Year. Martin Sargent grabbed his third goal in three matches to give Farnborough the breakthrough and Sam Fitsgearald’s decisive second sealed a much needed win for the visitors.

The victory lifts the Academy into third above Sevenoaks Town, who fell to a 3-1 defeat to an in form Bromley side at Hayes Lane. Farnborough meet Sevenoaks next week, before entering an untimely month’s layoff from league action.

The Academy’s final match of the season is away to Bromley. Farnborough will be looking to avenge the two previous league and cup defeats they have suffered at the hands of Bromley, leaving them with plenty to play for before the end of the season.     

Goals galore as Farnborough draw with West Wickham

The action packed, goal fests just keep on coming as for the second time this season Farnborough score four or more goals but have to settle for a point, this time against a resilient West Wickham side.

Both teams went into match without a win in 2012 but produced, arguably the game of season in the Kent Youth League. However Academy boss Richard Percy will be left wondering how his side didn’t claim all three points and close the gap on the teams above them. Defender Joe Head opened the scoring for the visitors after a promising start, before West Wickham hit back midway through the first half. Martin Sargent scored his 4^th goal of the season and Tom Rush claimed his first to add to an incident packed half.

The Academy came under siege during the second half and were powerless to resist the hosts’ relentless pressure. Despite the onslaught, Farnborough created some good chances of their own and were rewarded when Harry Rushworth finished off a slick passing move. Jack Burkett completed the scoring for the visitors, but the final 5-5 score line leaves a bitter aftertaste as once again defensive vulnerabilities were the main contribution to the Academy’s downfall.

The draw leaves the Academy fourth in the table and without a win in their last six league matches. The turn of the year hasn’t quite panned out the way Farnborough would have wanted it to, as the title is now beyond them. With three league games to go attention will turn to how the calendar year will end not how it has started.

Cold snap freezes out league fixtures

The sub-zero degree temperatures are threatening to cause havoc on the remainder of the Kent youth league season.

This weekend’s three fixtures in the Kent Central Division are all expected to be postponed which could ultimately extend the season beyond the original final round of fixtures on the 15^th of April. Farnborough have four games remaining, but may avoid the wintry conditions as their next fixture is not until the weekend after next when they travel to seventh placed West Wickham.

The Academy finish the month with a trip to bottom of the table Phoenix Sports, before home and away games to Sevenoaks Town and Bromley FC respectively. However, with the likes of Bromley and Cray Valley still having nine matches to play each, the season looks more than likely to extend well into late April, early May.

Despite the expected delays, there are still many issues to be resolved as up to five teams still have a realistic chance of clinching the league title. Leaders Bridon Ropes travel to Cray Valley looking to open up a four point gap at the top; Tonbridge Angels, fresh off their excellent 5-1 win at Sevenoaks, travel to neighbours Tunbridge Wells, who despite being fifth can still catch the leaders.