FARNHAM TN 3, HORLEY TN 3

HORLEY scored a controversial injury-time equaliser to deny Farnham all three points at the Memorial Ground on Saturday.

The referee reversed his linesman’s decision and gave Horley a throw-in, from which Ryan Smith popped up to score his second goal of the game and salvage a point for the visitors who began the game 14 places above Farnham in the Combined Counties Premier League.

Before that last-gasp goal, Farnham had seemed reasonably in control, although they missed chances to kill off the game.

Elliott Cardona, in particular, missed two decent chances, the first from very close range and the second a more difficult header. Had one of those gone in, Farnham would have had the game won at 4-2.

Farnham showed guts and character to twice come from behind in the first half.

Karl Parker put Horley in front with just one minute on the clock, but Jack Dillon, full of running as usual, was brought down by keeper George Hyde and Adam Horton put away the penalty with ease. One apiece after 11 minutes.

On the half-hour, Smith scored his first goal to restore Horley’s lead. Farnham quickly replied with the goal of the game as Ashley Peck led a breakaway attack and Nick Medcraft cut in from the right and curled the ball into the top left-hand corner with his right foot.

Farnham began to take control in the second half and deservedly went ahead for the first time on 72 minutes. Dillon made one of his surging runs and it was reminiscent of the goal he scored against Lymington in the FA Vase as he clinically beat the advancing Hyde.

Town should have been able to run the clock down, but failed to keep the ball in their own half. A good Horley side had all the late pressure and they also had a little help from the referee as Smith earned his side a point with that injury-time goal.

“We gave away sloppy goals and were unfortunate to concede at the death,” said manager Paul Tanner. “Only time will tell if we can compete at least in the top half of the table. I don’t think there will be any problems as games go on.”

Farnham: Giles, Flynn, Smith, Spiers, Ford, Horton, Medcraft, Meaton, Cardona, Peck, Dillon. Subs: Cox, Tarrant, Ramsden, Slater, Stepney.

• This Saturday, Farnham renew an old local rivalry when they visit relegated Godalming. Farnham travel to Colliers Wood on Wednesday and then comes the big FA Vase home match with Bridgwater on Saturday, November 11.