BANSTEAD ATH 3, FARNHAM TN 1

Two 3-1 away defeats in the space of four days leaves Farnham needing to win their final fixture this Saturday to avoid the indignity of finishing bottom of the Combined Counties League Premier Division.

The scoreline at Banstead last Saturday seems convincing, but in truth Farnham’s players and supporters were left scratching their heads, wondering how on earth Town didn’t get at least a point out of the game, such was their dominance at times.

Farnham started the game full of purpose and intensity, forcing the home back line into mistake after mistake as they pressed and harried at every available opportunity. It seemed only a matter of time when Town would take the lead.

Out of the blue, however, Banstead went ahead with their first attack on seven minutes. A long ball out of defence put a forward clean through and returning defender Jack Cox was lucky to escape with only a caution after pulling him back just outside the area.

Billy Frost lifted the resulting free-kick over the wall and past the diving Richard Ossai and the ball came back off the crossbar and rebounded into the net off the goalkeeper’s head. Such has been Farnham’s luck this season.

It was a real body-blow and led to a period of uncertainty in the Farnham defence of Jordan Stepney, Andy Tarrant and Cox who were playing as a partnership for the first time this season.

In particular, they struggled with the long ball and Banstead took this direct route to double their lead on 30 minutes.

A long pass from the back found Kofi Quartey in acres of space and he was able to keep his cool and beat Ossai as defenders chased back to cover.

Farnham were shaken back into life and were much the better side in the remaining 15 minutes of the half.

An excellent move sent Elliott Cardona into the area, where he was unceremoniously dumped to the ground, and Adam Horton stepped up to convert his second penalty of the week to make it 2-1.

Minutes later, Jordan Stepney brought the ball out from his own half and, finding space opening before him, unleashed a thunderous shot from some 40 yards.

The goalkeeper was rooted to the spot, but again lady luck deserted Farnham as the ball smashed against the upright and bounced along the line before being cleared to safety.

And Town’s wretched luck continued as, just before the break, Jack Dillon met a delightful cross from Nick Medcraft with a glancing header that struck the post and bounced into the grateful goalkeeper’s arms.

The visitors resumed their dominance on the restart and had chance after chance, and corner after corner, but without ever really working the home keeper.

As Farnham pushed forward, gaps were left at the back. Banstead’s finishing was wayward – that is until they won two corners in succession. The second found ‘AJ’ Morrison unmarked eight yards out and he guided the ball into the net to kill the game off at 3-1.

Jordan Stepney went close with two of his trademark powerful free-kicks, but it just wasn’t to be.

CB HOUNSLOW 3, FARNHAM 1

On Tuesday, CB Hounslow repeated the 3-1 dose in Farnham’s penultimate game of the season.

The home side had already missed a penalty by the time they took the lead and then they doubled it early in the second half.

Nick Medcraft scored his third goal in four games to pull it back to 2-1, but Hounslow had the last word and added a third late in the match.

A difficult and testing season for Farnham ends with a tough home match against Balham at the Memorial Ground (ko 3pm).

Town will be determined to end the season on a high and record that elusive first league victory since November 3, while Balham will be looking to complete the double after beating Farnham 3-0 two weeks ago.