Credit: Farnham Town FC
Farnham Town’s preparation for the beginning of their first ever season in the National League South ended in perfect fashion. The Town earned a very respectable 1-0 win at the Memorial Ground against National League opposition in Eastleigh, with Rakish Bingham scoring the decisive goal, backed up by confidence in all areas of the pitch.
The Town began with pace and immediately looked to go forward, full of belief that the Step one side could be beaten. The work of Bobby-Joe Taylor created the first chance to take the lead, after he impressively found Owen Dean, but Dean couldn’t pose a serious challenge to Nick Townsend in the Eastleigh goal. Dean then became the creator for the next opportunity; off the back of some fluid movement, he delivered to Daryl Sanders, who was waiting in the box, but he only just found the wrong side of the post.
The visiting Spitfires couldn’t keep the flying Farnham out forever, and eventually, they didn’t. The Town relied on their ever-effective movement as a whole team. Taylor and Sanders were involved in the build-up, with the latter sending through Brandon Mason on the left side of the area. The defender crossed low into the six-yard box, which was met by the arriving Bingham, who beat Townsend to fire to the keeper’s left.
Farnham built on taking the lead, and sensing their guests were vulnerable, pushed for a second. Bobby-Joe took an effort from outside the box, but couldn’t get the height, pace or direction as Townsend happily watched it go out for a goal kick. After a rare attack from the away side, Bingham took the ball out of the Farnham area and his lob managed to put Owen Dean through, who beat his man but could only find the arms of the Eastleigh keeper.
The visitors had their first real period of success after the interval. However, Michael Eacott refused to be bested, rushing out to produce a wonderful save with his leg. Aaron Blair threatened once more for the team in blue, but Billy Clifford ensured Eacott wouldn’t be called into action.
Clifford’s clearance was taken on by Trey Koukapias, who found a way into the box and got round one of the Eastleigh back line, but the defender recovered to block the shot. Townsend couldn’t relax, though, as the loose ball was fired in by Taylor near his right post, forcing him into a reaction save.
The keeper was also made to produce a fingertip save to tip Billy Clifford’s long-range effort over the bar. The attacking presence was underpinned by a strong performance at the back, not least Eacott coming out to stop Blair getting a clear opportunity, taking a knock in the process.
Koukapias and Miles Obodo combined late on for one last attempt at doubling the advantage, but the young striker couldn’t find the target. However, he need not worry as the clock wound down.
When the final whistle blew, positivity radiated around the Memorial Ground, as a National League stalwart had been seen off, helping Farnham’s case that they can be competitive in a division that is three tiers above where the club were three years ago.
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