CB HOUNSLOW UTD 1, FARNHAM TOWN 0

FARNHAM would have been content with a draw from one of only two fixtures to go ahead in the Combined Counties League Premier Division on Saturday, but it was CB Hounslow who seized the spoils with a late breakaway goal.

It was touch and go whether The Orchard would be playable (two miles away, Ashford’s game was called off), but the referee finally gave the thumbs-up.

Hounslow are a much improved side – they have now taken seven points out of ten – but Farnham had enough chances to finish clear winners.

“We squandered at least five good chances, but to be fair Hounslow did defend well on their goal line,” said manager Paul Tanner.

With only five minutes gone, Elliott Cardona shot wide when a goal beckoned. And midway through the half, Town created an excellent opportunity for Jack Dillon who also failed to hit the target.

Hounslow continued to defend grimly, but should have been behind early in the second half as Paul Coventry, Farnham’s new signing, failed to get enough power into his header.

Town then really started to pile on the pressure and it seemed only a matter of time before the breakthrough came.

But the visitors did everything but score. Coventry touched the ball over the top from very close range after a cross from Dillon and Ben Williams, breaking forward, saw a shot cleared off the line.

The luckless Coventry was also denied by a goal-line clearance as Hounslow continued to fling bodies in the way.

And Hounslow were eventually rewarded for their resilience. A fast breakaway caught Farnham napping and the tricky Rashid Obbadi, who normally relies on his left foot, finished neatly with his right.

“It’s important points lost, but we’ve still hit our target for the month, and slightly above it,” said Tanner. “I’m sure we are capable of finishing in a reasonable position this season. We move forward positively to Saturday and will try to get a result against Windsor at home.”

Windsor will be tough, no doubt about that. Just a fortnight ago, the Royalists hammered Badshot Lea 6-0.

* In the only other game to survive the weather on Saturday, leaders Hartley Wintney trounced Chertsey 5-1, with a hat-trick by Sam Argent.