Surrey Primary League
Senior Plate Final
Byfleet 2 Farncombe A 4 ( AET )

A tremendous battling effort by Byfleet wasn’t quite enough as premier division side Farncombe took the honours in the U16s Plate Final on Sunday.A very smart looking Byfleet squad left the rec to make their way to Godalming Town FCs ground. Making their way along the A3 in torrential rain, one wondered whether the game would go ahead but on arrival the weather eased slightly and things looked more hopeful.The kick off however was still delayed by 30 minutes to allow yet more pitch forking by the GTFC groundsman. By 2.30pm however although by no means perfect the pitch was definately playable and we were underway.
Byfleet generally had the better of the opening exchanges and were unlucky not to take the lead when Joe Spooner hit the post. A good run down the right from Lewis Hockley ended with a powerful shot which the keeper could only parry. Unfortunately no one was following in to tap the ball into the empty net. Matt Creswick then went close from a free kick. Despite creating more chances Byfleet somehow found themselves 2 goals down at the interval when Farncombe players got onto the end of loose balls played into the penalty area. Back in the dressing room at half time the team remained positive. Changing from the sweeper system back to a 4-4-2 with Dave Stubbs pushed up front, the team then put in an excellent 2nd half performance which with a bit more luck would have seen them take the trophy. Spurred on by the sizable crowd in the main stand Byfleet attacked from the outset and thought they had reduced the arreas when Ruairi O’Shea curled a right foot shot round the out of position Farncombe keeper. Agonisingly just as the ball appeared to be about to cross the line it seemed to hit a divot and came to rest sitting on a lump of mud against the goalpost, allowing the keeper to get back and save. Soon afterwards however Byfleet were back in it when an excellently hit free kick from Joe Spooner took a deflection and ended up in the net. Byfleet were now doing all the pressing and got their rewards when Ruairi O’shea struck the best goal of the game. Running down the right Ruairi cut inside to hit a tremendous left foot shot which curled around the keeper and just inside the post, starting wild celebrations. With only a short period of time left Byfleet kept pressing but a dramatic winner just proved elusive and it was then extra time. The break, albeit short came at the wrong time for the side and allowed Farncombe to re group.With only 5 minutes each way before the possibility of penalties the team scoring next would be the most likely winners and unfortunately for Byfleet it was Farncombe who re took the lead. To their credit it was an excellent strike direct from a free kick which was struck over the wall and past Harry Biggs. Byfleet rallied again but with the side physically drained coming back a second time was too much. Playing a 1-0-9 formation trying to score the equaliser allowed Francombe to score a fourth just before the end. The whole squad can be justly proud of their performance and the way in which they represented the club. Despite the defeat and the wet weather everyone had an enjoyable day and at least had a medal to take home afterwards. A big thanks to all the Team’s supporters who gave the side tremendous backing and made such a great atmosphere.