The official match report by James Winward, is in development. We may not have it for some time, however when we do it'll probably be brilliant. That's what going to Cambridge gets you! (day late - dollar short).
So here are the briefest of headlines...
A perfect day for football and a critical league win, in a week of important losses:
- Allan Campbell lost the team water bottles in his flat ?
- Andy Pym got lost trying to find the pitch ?
- James Winward (AKA Wardy, AKA Wardinho) has lost all sense of time and discipline (off the pitch - small mercies).
On the game itself. It's never easy going to Fulham on the 'quaint' tree surrounded pitch (which makes it hard for some to find!... AP!). It's never a great surface however Borough 1sts made light of the conditions and got to work establishing themselves in the game.
Borough looked the better team throughout, however Fulham are always the same group: fiercely competitive, dangerous from set-pieces and a threat especially at home.
Baker and the back four looked strong throughout, with special mentions to Gibb and Da Silva who merited a slice of the MoM votes. Baker did well keeping a clean sheet, most particularly warding off a string of dangerous set-pieces and long throws.
The midfield was imposing and first to the ball at all times with Winward and Taylor leading the way centrally, feeding the wide wizards of Ndlovu (playing his best football for Borough) and Campbell (who looks a different man since his return from the footballing wilderness- actually, is he a different man - have we registered him?).
Barwick benefited from Pym's wetlands walkabout, which got him off the bench at 10, linking up with Driver: an improving and dangerous combination.
Half chances came and went for both sides in both halves. Borough raided the bench with Murray, Pym and Miller getting involved and making a great impression. The strategy now was to rotate players in to try and penetrate the Fulham strong backline. The last 15 was all Borough with Fulham wasting time, it was clear they saw a draw as a win!
Ndlovu back on in attack after a breather started to threaten at every turn. With minutes on the clock, he broke through on the left, shot and hit the post, leaving Miller and Driver wondering about the squared option: they were free 5 yards out.
90 mins up, Fulham gasping for breath and for the final whistle: a carbon copy move. Winward to Ndlovu, down the left flank. Ndlovu skips past the right-back, squares a beautiful ball to Driver who opened his right foot to direct the ball with his instep into the corner. 1-0 to Borough 1sts and just added time to play. Big celebrations on the field and off.
Minutes left. Fulham now threw the kitchen sink with their classic never-say-die attitude. Three corners, three bits of brilliant defending - Ref calls time.
1-0 win, three points and a super display of guts, determination, quality on the ball, work off it and great game management.