Summer Football - Farleigh Rovers vs. Cobham

Clear sky over Parsonage Field.

Farleigh Rovers currently ground share at Croydon FC's 'Arena' but a fixture clash meant their home match against Cobham was played at their Parsonage Field home. Both teams are in the top half of the table but neither have a realistic chance of getting in to the promotion places. Cobham being the location of Chelsea's training ground are playing in what looks to be a Chelsea academy kit. 

Kick off at Parsonage Field.

The match kicks off in glorious sunshine and Cobham dominate from the off and hardly let Farleigh out of their own half. Their best chance comes when a Cobham player hits his shot in to the ground and the goalie makes a good save. Then mid way through the half, the home side wins what looks like a soft penalty as the player goes down following contact from a defender. The penalty is smashed home and the hosts take the lead against the run of play. Cobham continue to dominate but fail to find an equaliser before half time.

The Cobham management look on as their side dominate the first half.

Cobham continue to press at the start of the second half and this gives Farleigh a chance to get behind the defenders and there are a few close off side calls. The home side manage to force a few corners but fail to seriously trouble the keeper. In the final quarter, Cobham reassert their dominance. They thinks they get an equaliser but a home defender somehow clears the ball on the line. They come even closer a few minutes later when they hit the post. The home side manage to hold on to win three hard earned points.

Cobham push for an equaliser late in the second half.

As stated earlier, Farleigh play most of their home games at The Croydon Arena and it's my understanding that this ground share will be taken in to consideration when next seasons fixtures are worked out. However, if the first team are at home for whatever reason then it is worthwhile visiting Parsonage Field. The 409 bus from outside East Croydon station takes you to the Harrow Inn and the ground is a two minute walk away. The buses depart every hour and the journey takes about 20 minutes. There is the Harrow Inn near the ground but the clubhouse, while being quite small, is defiantly worth a visit.

The home keeper takes a break. The clubhouse and only cover in the ground is in the background.