Farnham Town Survive Late Scare To Win The Thorpe Park U15 County Cup Final.

An end-to-end first ten minutes would set the tone for what would be an entertaining final. Farnham would find themselves a great opportunity to go ahead after just five minutes, but striker Josh Linton couldn’t quite get the ball out of his feet when rounding the keeper, with a Motspur defender clearing his effort off the line. 

Linton would be through on goal only a couple of minutes later, capitalising on some miscommunication in the Motspur backline. This time, he’d make no mistake, firing in the opener from ten yards out. That goal would kickstart and onslaught on their opposition’s goal, with Farnham looking incredibly dangerous. 

It could’ve easily been two just a couple a minutes later had it not been for a great fingertip save onto the bar from Jack Borra to stop Sam Bonser’s header. Borra would be called into action again moments later, this time to deny Jaden Mansour with his feet. 

Despite numerous chances, Farnham were only one goal to the good, largely down to some fine goalkeeping from the Motspur ‘keeper. 

It seemed as if it was ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ Farnham’s next goal would come and they’d find another in the 27th minute. Borra would save Harry Munden’s initial shot but that would fall perfectly to Jaden Mansour who was left unmarked at the back post to tap home. 

That second goal sparked something in the Motspur players. An inch-perfect ball from Rio Felonov Tzanev would find Ardan O’Neil at the back post however Farnham ‘keeper Charlie Burns also wanted to display his qualities, making a fine save to preserve their two goal lead. From the resulting corner, Burns would be called upon again, reacting well to a deflected header.  Motspur were slowly beginning to build some pressure as they looked for a way back into the game. 

However, Farnham were able to hold firm, and continued to look dangerous on the counter. They’d add a third to their tally through Sam Bonser in the 35th minute which further emphasised their first-half dominance. The opening ten minutes of the second half would be crucial, with Farnham looking hard to peg back after their first half performance. 

The second half started just like the first, with both sides wanting to demonstrating their attacking strengths. Of the two, it was Motspur Park who would have the better chances at the start of the half but they couldn’t quite find a way back into the game.  

Farnham seemed quite happy to keep their lead as it was, enjoying long spells of possession to try and kill the game. Deploying a high press, Motspur looked to try and force an error. They’d do just that in the 65th minute, with Theo Parrott picking up the ball and sending Rio Felonov Tzanev through on goal. The striker would make no mistake and it was once again game on with 15 minutes left to be played. 

With Motspur Park sending increased numbers forward, they were beginning to find themselves vulnerable at the back. An inviting ball into the Mostpur box by Theo Stockham was met by George Dankoff on the volley which went straight into the back of the net. That looked as if that was the goal to put the game to bed but there was still another twist in the tale. 

Moments later Felonov Tzanev would get his second for Motspur Park after a great piece of skill to set-up a grandstand finish. It was however too little too late and Farnham Town would manage to hold on and in turn be crowned Thorpe Park U15 County Cup Champions. 

Goals: (Motspur Park) Felonov Tzanev (65, 76) 

           (Farnham Town) Linton (8), Mansour (27), Bonser (35), Dankoff (74) 

Attendance: 190  

Match Officials: 

Referee: Jacob Flower 
Assistant Referee: Stanley Makepeace 
Assistant Referee: Harry Cross 
Fourth Official: Dan Bright

Motspur Park: Ardan O’Neil, Arthur Jones, Bailey Newcombe, Brandon Davis, Calum Silumbwe, Henry Taff, Jack Borra, James Wright, Josh Grenville-Jones, Jotham Rhodes, Luca Ferreiro, Louis Mundegar, Milo Schmidt, Rio Felonov Tzanev, Tadey didun, Thomas Pike, Theo Parrott, Victor Pasquetto 

Farnham Town: Charlie Burns, Bill Callan, Alfie Roseveare, George Dankoff, Johnnie Carey, Eric Vacassin, Charlie Underhill, Sam Bonser, Josh Linton, Harry Munden, Jaden Mansour, Louis Mason, Remy Mason, Lewis Gray, Mason Irwin, Oliver Stevenson, Theo Stockham 

Images of the game can be viewed and purchased by following the link below.