Well a bright sunny day saw 16 of us walk away with smiles on our faces after the game which saw Beavers FC achieve their first ever IFA League win vs Farnborough Town. Well actually 17 smiling faces - but then Ryan is always smiling...
We had given Farnborough a competitive game on our previous meeting which saw us lose 2-3 so with that in mind - and having something to prove after last week's disappointment against the Bromley supporters - we took to the field with a greater sense of purpose and determination.
A few changes from last week's line up - due to availability and Alfie feeling unwell (though he couldn't of looked as bad as Curt did after his Big Friday night out) and a slight change in formation saw us line up with a back three of Jamie M, Gibbo and Keith with Elliott and Jamie H as wing-backs. Stef, Lee and Mick (on debut) in central midfield with Chris and Curt starting up front.
Matt as ever lined up with the keepers gloves.

The first half was a very even contest - as in fact was the whole game...and saw us attacking for sustained periods whilst Farnborough seemed content to try and hit us on the break.
Lee in particular had a couple of shots from the edge of the area on target - which on another day would most likely have ended up over the fence and on the astroturf pitch behind the goal.
Then after about 15 mins F'boro opened the scoring with a goal from the penalty spot taken by their keeper. Elliott was adjudged to have brought down the forward inside the area - having made minimal contact, despite Elliott's best efforts to really hack him down. However having had the better of the play we didn't let our heads drop and continued to take the game to the opposition.
A couple of enforced substitutions - as Keith, having not done any running in two months found oxygen hard to come by, was replaced by Michael and Stef having gone over on his ankle was replaced by Danny.
We then were awarded a penalty kick of our own on 40 mins - when a quickly taken short corner allowed Lee to float the ball into the box. The ref either spotted the slight push on Jamie M or at least heard Jamie claim it and blew his whistle. Despite calls for Matt to get his 1 on 1 revenge with their keeper Lee took the spot kick and gave the keeper no chance.
It needed some good defending to keep F'boro out before half time with a couple of good blocks and saves from Matt as we tried to keep it tight. We managed to see it through so at h-t the score was 1-1.

F'boro made a few changes at h-t whereas we kept the same solid formation. In the 2nd half F'boro tried to press more which left us the chance to break on them.
The best of our chances in open play was when Chris broke through and was clear of his marking defender. The F'boro keeper came out to narrow the angle but Chris squared the ball to Danny, making an excellent supporting run, who seemed to only need to poke the ball home. From nowhere though a yellow shirted defender managed to clear the ball away. It was reminiscent of the break and goal Chris set up Danny with at Hendon.
Elliott also had a goal chalked off for offside which again seemed a good goal - but
Shortly after we took the lead in controversial circumstances. A cross from our right hand side seemingly bounced off the defenders knee away for a corner (as signalled by the lino). However the referee blew for the 3rd penalty of the game saying the ball had hit the knee - then the hand and was awarding a penalty for handball.
The F'boro players were understandably upset - and one earned a booking (and a managers fine !) for calling the ref a little short-sighted using some rather robust language. Lee kept calm whilst this was happening and again gave the keeper no chance from the spot.
Shortly after as F'boro searched for an equaliser we got to feel just how the F'boro players had felt. A corner came in and the ball hit Craig (who had come on as sub) on the thigh and bounced away. Again the ref explained the ball had gone from thigh to hand and away and the kick was awarded.
I was well pleased that we kept our heads and din't argue too much with the ref - a lesson learnt from last week I hope.
On this occassion though the 4th penalty of the game was magnificently saved by Matt as he dived away to his left and turned the ball round the post with a strong hand.
Although F'boro had a few shots and some pressure there was only one moment when it looked as though the score might go to 2-2. A powerful shot was hit from the edge of the box and took a wicked deflection as we tried to charge the shot. Somehow Matt managed to change direction and got fingertips to the shot - which pushed the ball to strike the post. The ball on coming back into play could have been a simple tap in for someone but Matt flung himself at the ball and scooped the rebound away. A breathtaking save which saw applause all round - even from the ref.

So when the final whistle went we could reflect on our first ever 3 points in an IFA League game - but perhaps more importantly our best performance to date.

Man of the Match goes to Matt - as without the penalty save and the save right at the end of the game all our hard work may have been for nothing.
But boy was Matt pushed close by some of the outfield players.
Defensively Gibbo and Michael were excellent - tackling and holding up their front runners, especially Michael who was playing through his hamstring injury.
The third defender Jamie M was very solid - excellent in positioning and marshalling the defence with clear instructions.
Elliott and Jamie both did good jobs down the flanks in the tough role as a wing back.
In midfield Danny showed great energy, Lee cool under pressure but a special word for Mick on his debut. Looked like he'd been playing for us all season and even had the ref asking him where he buys his ear-rings.
Up front Chris put in his best performance for the Beavers - holding the ball up, bringing others into play and setting up chances.
But all 16 of us put the effort in - and we got our rewards with those precious 1st ever 3 IFA League points.

Team
Matt; Gibbo, Jamie M, Keith; Elliott, Stef, Lee, Mick, Jamie H; Curt, Chris.
Subs
David B, Michael, Danny, Craig, Paul D.



Further info on the supporters team at
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/beaversfc/