Before we begin the match report it would be wrong not to mention the funeral of our loyal supporter, Mark Durbridge on Friday afternoon. It was a poignant, respectful and well attended service from our committee, fans and players – REST IN PEACE MARK.

Back to the match. We are very much suffering from injuries and absentees at the moment with 9 players unavailable for the match. We welcomed back Zac Powell after a few games away, although he was probably expecting a gentler introduction from the substitutes bench, however the person in the starting berth at centre back (Recce Tierney) pulled up in the warm up, so Zac came straight into the team.

We started very well and had a couple of good chances against a team in fine form and probably surprised the home team with our play. As the half went on, neither team were really in the ascendency and we were more than holding our own against the higher placed team. Then in the 41st minute we made a defensive error, playing the ball across our 18 yard box and Tadley striker Kieran Rodgers went onto to place the ball past our goalkeeper. The home team could have increased their lead shortly after, but Harvey Keough made a smart save in our goal. Half time 1-0.

The second half was very much the same as the first with no team really in the ascendency. We had a great chance with a George Owusu header who leapt at the far post way above the much taller Tadley defender, only to see the ball go just outside the post. We had other opportunities but either we did not get the shot away to trouble the goalkeeper or the effort was blocked.

The game ended 1-0 to our hosts and another defeat for our team. It was a match that we should have got something out of, but we just did not get that little bit of luck to score.

We now have two games at home, firstly we entertain Balham at 1945 on Tuesday 3rd October, and then the following Saturday with a 3pm kick off against Colliers Wood. Both matches will be at the Reg Madgwick Stadium in Cobham.