Tadley Calleva defeat Farnham Town in 3-2 thriller

The Tadley side, off the back of two heavy defeats, welcomed an unbeaten Farnham, but the home side was looking to make amends and get some points on the board.

Meanwhile, Farnham arrived at Barlows Park full of confidence with four league points and a ‘cupset’ against step four club Faversham in FA Cup preliminary round.

The game started quickly with both sides trying to control possession, but it wasn't until the 7th minute that Tadley created the first real chance of the game.

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The ball was played down the right hand side, a pinpoint cross was put into the box and met by the head of Ben Wright who directed it to the visitors’ goalkeeper James Ferguson. 

It wasn't long before Tadley narrowly missed another good chance.

Again, the ball was worked down the right hand side where Captain Tom Walsh managed to cut the ball back to Wright on the edge of the box. He watched his effort go inches wide off the goal.

Tadley had started well but the visitors continued to grow in to the game. On 17 minutes, a corner from the left hand side was met by the head of oncoming Farnham forward Matt Bunyan who must have thought he'd scored. His effort was watched well and cleared off the line by Kieran Maylen. 

The game remained in the balance until on 25 minutes when a long free kick was picked up by the Farnham midfielder. He passed it to the front two who played a clever one-two to round goalkeeper Craig Atkinson and against the run of play take a 1-0 lead. 

From here until the half Tadley continued to create some good opportunities with some excellent football, managing to break down a tight defence line.

None more so than on the half hour mark.

A long ball from the back was flicked on by Brett Denham to Kalum Cousins who played it back out wide to Denham. Denham played a great ball across the face of goal to leave Conor Thorne with a tap in. Unfortuantely the flag was up and the goal was chalked off for offside.

As the second half rolled around, so did the fog. For the first 10 minutes of the half, visibility was rapidly deteriorating making it difficult for both players and spectators alike. 

The second half started much like the first, with both teams looking to take control of the game.

The first chance of the half fell to the visitors who moved the ball along the edge of the box but a weak shot was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Atkinson.

On the 54th minute, a free-kick from the left was put into the box by Fitzgerald of Farnham which was spilt by the goalkeeper leaving forward Liam Pestle to tap home from close range.

Tadley players insisted with the officials that there was a foul on the goalkeeper. But the goal stood. Tadley 0-2 Farnham.

Following the goal there were some heated words on the touchline which resulted in joint manager Joe Lawler given his marching orders on the recommendation of the linesman.

Farnham kept coming forward looking to finish off the game. 

On 64 minutes, the ball was played down the right and then across goal for what seemingly looked like a certain third for Farnham. 

Atkinson had other ideas, he got down low to make a fantastic save to keep Tadley’s comeback dreams well and truly alive. 

As the second half went on, Tadley got back into their rhythm and were aggressive in their attacking play. Fresh legs were brought on and they started to get sharper as paly progressed. 

Ten minutes after the goal, Wright picked up the ball halfway into Farnham's half. He played a short pass to Kalum Cousins who set it back to him.

From roughly 25 yards Wright hit the ball first time and put it straight into the top corner of the Farnham net, bringing Tadley back into the game. You can watch it here.

Three minutes later, Tadley were at it again. The ball played through the middle was picked up by Brett Denham who made a surging run into the Farnham box. He was bought down in a Farnham Town sandwich and Tadley were awarded a golden opportunity to level the game. 

Wright picked up the ball, placed it on the spot and nonchalantly sent the keeper the wrong way. Tadley were back level and looking good for another. 

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The final 10 minutes of the fixture was all Tadley. They were fighting for their first points of the season and were clearly not settling for just the one. They went close with a few half chances which were getting the crowd inside a foggy Barlows Park excited and hopeful for a late winner. 

With a minute to go, on 90+1 minutes, Tadley won the ball back on the edge of their 18 yard box. It was played out to the left where Brett Denham made a lung busting run.

Sonny Haynes picked up the ball inside Farnham's box, beat the last man and then rounded the keeper. Haynes tapped the ball home from close range to complete the comeback for Tadley and pick up their first three points of the league season in front of a crowd of 109 supporters.

The desire to come back into the game was evident from Tadley all evening.