FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round Saturday 27th September Westbury United 0-1 Farnborough FC

A massive day for Westbury United ended in the most cruel fashion when Farnborough nicked a winner in the eighth minute of added time!

The match was a first for both sides as it was televised by the BBC. Also the attendance was a brilliant 1,524!

Before kick-off the teams remembered the late Billy Vigar of Chichester City with a minute of silence. Once the match got underway the visitors had an early chance when Rakish Bingham couldn’t finish off Kai Jennings’ cross.

Both keepers were then in the action; home winger Ben Starr tested Jack Turner with a low shot then at the other end Ollie Robinson’s long throw found Lachlan Byrd; however Joel Mannings was equal to his effort.

Westbury began to attack with pace and, after Ryan Bole’s run and cross went unrewarded, Jack Witcombe had a shot blocked and Starr bought another save out of Turner.

Another break saw CJ Stewart pass to Bole whose ball over the top sent Josh Jenkins running and he was denied by fine work by John Oyenuga.

Farnborough forced numerous throw ins in their attacking third which were all launched by Robinson and all well defended by Leon Greenland, Aaron Cockerill and Dan Restorick.

United had a shout for a penalty waved away by the referee then Jenkins sent in a great ball which was cut out at the near post!

Oyenuga’s skilful run and cross found Nakeem Sandah but he could only find the side netting.

Play flowed from end to end with nothing to show for it as half-time approached; Stewart’s cross was cleared by a Farnborough defender, Sandah’s dangerous looking ball in wasn’t attacked then Starr’s skill and delivery was touched over by Stewart!

After the break the game continued to flow both ways with Greenland intercepting Mason Bloomfield in the box then Jenkins played in Stewart who was ushered away by Oyenuga; Jack Witcombe whipped in the resulting corner and Sam Francis had a header blocked on the line!

Farnborough were reduced to 10 men on 57 when skipper Robinson was sent off for an incident with Stewart.

Despite their disadvantage the away side had the next chance when Dominic Poleon latched onto a loose ball and fired over the bar!

Stewart raced into the box and went to ground however it wasn’t a foul then Aaron Witchell played in Starr whose run and cross was cleared. Witcombe tried an overhead and the ball skewed to Bole who shot narrowly over.

Farnborough broke two-on-two and it took a brave challenge by Cockerill on Bingham at the edge of the box to stop the attack! Cockerill then did very well again after more fine play by Oyenuga.

As United went for the win, they brought on last round hero Sen, he looked to repeat his feat but his ball in went away from goal!

The visitors then stepped up their pressure in the closing stages and it was their attacking substitutes Teddy Colliss and Ryan Huke who threatened then had the final say; Colliss shot over from 25 yards and Huke was denied a chance by Greenland.

However it was devastation for Westbury in the 98th minute; Ethan Witchell committed a foul and the set piece was delivered into a crowded penalty area, Mannings got in the way of a header and the ball fell to Colliss who prodded it in!

*Star Men; Leon Greenland (Westbury United) and John Oyenuga (Farnborough FC); Joel Mannings, Ryan Bole, Aaron Cockerill, Dan Restorick, Jack Witcombe, Sam Francis, CJ Stewart, Aaron Witchell, Ben Starr, Leon Greenland, Josh Jenkins

Subs; Ethan Cannings, Ethan Witchell, Ali Sen (used) Lewis Porter, Steve Hulbert, Will Taylor, Jamie Jordan (unused)

Report by Andy Bown.

Photo by Martin Pearce.