An excellent game ended in the points being shared between two teams that were well matched. Technically, Farnborough perhaps had the edge but in terms of effort, determination and team work, City took the laurels if not all the points.

Manager Gary Roberts named an unchanged starting eleven from the one that drew against Halesowen at the weekend who quickly hit their stride on a pitch that was a little firmer than of late and favoured City’s more skilful players.
 
City were the more dominant in the opening ten minutes but couldn’t get a shot away to test keeper Michael Jordan. At the other end, Zac Barrett was well protected by his back four who did particularly well when Gary Holloway nicked the ball away from Adrian Cambridge before setting up Daryl McMahon, who had to be marshalled by Dave Theobald at the expense of a corner.
 
Finally, City carved out their first opportunity. Jamie Stevens fouled Jamie Barker and from the resulting free kick, city’s number 9 powered in a fine strike that brought a decent save from Jordan. As it transpired, this was one of very few saves that either keeper had to make. Although a game of high quality, neither side tested the opposition keepers to any great degree.

Tony Burke showed his range of skills throughout the evening, a subtle flick setting up a good passing move through midfield that failed to develop when Ashley Fuller’s cross from the left failed to pick out the waiting Barker.

But without a doubt, at the midway point of the first half, it was City who were ahead on points and it was no real surprise when the opening goal came on 25. Burke showed what a real threat he can be when he made a typical winger’s run down the right leaving Adam Doyle in his wake before finding the bye line and pulling the ball back to Ramon Caliste who finished with great assurance, a superb strike and a wonderful build up.
 
The Lilywhites were now controlling the game, looking confident and easy on the ball. Shortly after the goal Barker found himself bearing down on goal only to be clipped by Steve Robinson who received a yellow for his pains. Was he the last man? Not in the eyes of referee Wayne Porter and Robinson stayed to skipper his side through the rest of the game. 

Although City had the best of the play, few clear cut chances were created. On 38 minutes Cambridge’s free kick from deep narrowly eluded Caliste’s out-stretched foot with just the keeper to beat.  The merest of touches would have taken the ball into the net but it was not to be.

Meanwhile, Barrett, patrolling his area at the Westbrook end, had little to keep him busy and even when Caliste screwed a pass to his opposite number Dean McDonald which gave the Farnborough man an unexpected opening on the City goal, the back four held firm and chance passed.
 
Half time and City one to the good and looking good value for their lead.

For the first fifteen minutes of the second half it was business as usual: plenty of pressure and possession but nothing that resulted in Jordan having to earn his money. Equally, Farnborough weren’t making inroads either. When they did it was with a goal that was simultaneously messy and brilliant. Messy because the build up was scrappy – a deflected highball caused confusion in the City ranks and allowed McMahon to take possession. Brilliant because his strike curled, dipped and did everything it needed to beat Barrett to level the scores.
 
The goal finally spurred Farnborough into action and City, having controlled the game found themselves having defend with some purpose. Credit to the back four – and an especial mention in dispatches to Pat Bexfield – Farnborough looked impressive coming forward but weren’t allowed any truly threatening shots on goal.

City weren’t without enterprise either. Shortly after the equaliser, Burke picked out Fuller who screwed his shot wide. Caliste chased a through ball on 66 which took the combined efforts of Jake King and Robinson to nullify and Barker’s cross on 74 was failed to be converted – all good half chances but nothing that really worked Jordan.
 
When Andre McCollin saw his drive pass Barrett’s left hand post it typified much of what this game was about: good build up, nice skill but not on target.

In the last ten minutes the game could have gone either way as the match could truly be described as end to end.
 
Was a draw a fair result? Perhaps, given that once the equaliser had been scored Farnborough had created a fair head of steam and could have gone on to win. But City had hitherto enjoyed good possession without pressing Jordan too hard.

The last two games have shown that the Lilywhites are the equal to two the league’s best teams – four draws in all. It might be, however, that come the end of the season, it will be City’s inability to create a win from their many drawn games that will be the difference between the play offs and finishing in the quarter of the table.

Other matters of note. Before tonight I believed that in life there were only three things that were set in stone: taxes, death and Ash Fuller being subbed on the hour. Last night, Ash played until the 79th minute. I think that taxes and mortification still hold firm, however. I also noted that arboreally, City are still the top team in the region with a fine display behind the Chesterton Community College end. It’s good to see that at least one local team doesn’t take the expression ‘clearing out the dead wood’ too literally.