Farnborough become Merseyside Champions
Farnborough Merseyside Champions
On a cold and wintery afternoon in St.Helens Farnborough became Merseyside E.S.F.A. County Champions for the second time in three seasons. In the 6th outing for Farnborough Football Teams this year, once again saw success for the school, yet again completing a competition undefeated. The team will now represent Merseyside in the Northern Counties finals early in the spring.
The afternoon began with a convincing 2 nil victory over Holy Rosary(Maghull), both goals coming from our top scorer Oscar Thompson. George Brain pulled off two great saves- one in each half and Kian Champion looked solid at the back.
Match two saw us playing joint group leaders St Jeromes from Formby. Rico Seddon-Davidson opened the scoring with a tricky run and curling left foot finish. Lucas Balshaw worked hard in centre midfield making some crucial tackles and setting up further opportunities for Oscar T and Rhys Graham. Bailey McDonald in goal for this game was able to tip over a long range free kick from the St Jerome’s striker and Oscar made it 2 nil with a well taken strike.
Final group game against Park Brow(Kirkby) saw Ben Wareing taking over in defence and Dana Amaral moving in to midfield. The team began playing some of their best football of the afternoon with some excellent passing, breaks down the wing and lots of possession. Lawrie Woods had covered every inch of the pitch over the afternoon and scored a well deserved goal, finishing off a six pass move by Farnborough. Oscar scored his fourth of the afternoon and Rico made it 3-1 with another classy finish.
As group winners Farnborough took on the runners-up from group A, Bedford Road(Bootle). The game saw Farnborough take an early lead through Oscar and should have made it 2 nil when Lawrie hit the crossbar. However Bedford equalised late on and despite Farnborough’s best efforts throughout the ensuing extra-time - the game remained 1-1 and the whistle blew for penalties. Each team scored their first four and a further 3 sudden death penalties, before every player stepped up to take a second: Oscar, Lucas, Dana, Rico, Lawrie, Kian and Ben all scored once again! Finally after 15 successful attempts by Farnborough, George stretched out to save the Bedford attempt and the team were through to the final 15-14 on penalties!
The final saw a group rematch with Holy Rosary and a tense match followed. Farnborough worked hard to gain an advantage and eventually Dana sent in a free kick that Oscar expertly headed beyond the opposition's keeper. Our defence then worked over time with Dana, Rhys, Lawrie and Ben all making crucial tackles and blocks, with the final touch of the game by Kian blocking a last ditch shot.
Farnborough once again became Merseyside champions and every member of the team should be proud of the hard work and commitment in their achievement – roll on the Northern Finals!
