If excitement and drama was missing in the first half of this North Hampshire derby the second half made up for everything with plenty of action. Both sides were reduced to ten men and Town snatched a late winner in a half that threatened to boil over at times.
David Pratt was dismissed for a strong challenge just after the half-time break and just 13 minutes later Farnborough forward Dean McDonald followed him to the dressing room, both adjudged to have made two footed tackles by the referee.
Frank Gray made three changes to the side that beat Dorchester the previous Monday but retained the 4-5-1 formation.
Sean Hankin came in at left-back to replace the injured Matt Finlay, while Tom Williamson was in for Jide Ogunbote in the centre of the park and Matt Warner replaced Gary Frewen on the left. The Dragons started well in the late summer sunshine with a Matt Warner free kick going just wide and Pratt setting Matt Patterson away down the right, the latter shooting disappointingly straight at the Farnborough keeper. The visitors came back into the game with Rob Rice having to clear the ball form his own goal line. On 17 minutes the visitors came close to scoring with Tardif brilliantly finger-tipping McDonald’s close range shot over the bar. Jay Gasson had already got in a superb tackle to deny a goal scoring opportunity. At the other end Sean Hankin headed narrowly wide for the Dragons. On the half hour, visiting ‘keeper Dominique Jean-Zephirin was booked for handling outside the area and the half petered out in what was looking a tame encounter.
Half Time: Basingstoke Town 0 Farnborough 0
Within three minutes of the break the game exploded into life with Town being reduced to ten men after David Pratt saw straight red for his challenge on Nick Ciardini. After consultation with his assistant the red card was produced. The visitors saw this as an opportunity and ‘Boro pushed forward with the man advantage. McDonald looked set to score on 56 minutes but his effort was cleared off the line by Rob Rice. The Farnborough players and fans were incensed as they felt the ball has crossed the line and just five minutes later McDonald joined Pratt for an early bath with the referee judging his challenge on Ross Adams as two footed. Adams was unable to continue, causing Town to re-shuffle with the introduction of Gary Frewen. The visitors enjoyed a good spell with Bradley Bubb sending in a dangerous cross but despite the efforts of both sides it looked as the game would end in stalemate. However with just eight minutes remaining Town secured the points thanks to the help of Farnborough ‘keeper Jean-Zephirin. His clearance struck his own defender Jamie Stevens 20 yards out, with the defender pole-axed and dazed play continued with Nathan Smart trying to set up Greg Draper, the visitors failed to clear and the ball came to Frewen who was able to drill his shot across goal and into the far corner. The visitors pressed desperately for an equalizer and the Dragons were forced to endure 5 minutes of added time. Late on in added time ‘Boro were again denied as Gary Holloway was played in and his chip over Tardif was headed away by Warner. Although not one of their best performances again Town showed their metal and in previous seasons this would have been a game that they would have lost.
Town: Tardif, Rice, Hankin, Adams (sub Frewin 71 mins), Gasson, Lake (sub Draper 69 min), Pattison (sub Smart 74 min), Laidler, Pratt, Williamson, Warner. Subs (not used): Downes, Ogunbote
