Farnborough OBG won the Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield for the first time in their 89-year history after they completed an amazing comeback to defeat a valiant Metrogas side 3-2 at the Bauvill Stadium, Chatham on Friday.
This was the Covid-delayed final of the 2019-20 tournament and was as competitive as you would expect a final to be but well controlled by referee Zack Moules ably supported by assistants James Beadle and Paul Cruttenden, and fourth official Matthew Charles.
A goal down at half-time to a very well-taken hooked strike by Joel Weston, things got worse for the Guild after an hour when Metrogas doubled their lead via Chris Mirrlees’ header. Luke Johnson’s men refused to conceded defeat, however, typified by Man of the Match Mason West taking the match by the scruff of the neck to score a superb solo goal two minutes later. This goal visibly changed the game as the belief flooded into the team in yellow and red.
When Jason Johns curled a 25-yarder in off the bar after 75 minutes, momentum was fully with the Borough. A mis-timed Metrogas challenge on West resulted in a penalty which he coolly slotted into the net with ten minutes to go. The Gas fought hard to get back into the game but to no avail and the trophy for the county-wide competition for clubs at Step 7 and below was on its way to Farrow Fields.
Proud Farnborough manager Luke Johnson told us
“Lifting the highest trophy in the club’s history is an honour and a privilege that is not lost on me. After 3 seasons of consistent improvement, we really felt this was our year to win the Kent County League. Our form going into lockdown was superb and to have stopped playing for so long, it was difficult to get back to those standards.
“If there is a way to win a cup final, then it is the way we did it. I’d much rather win the next one 4 nil though!
“Although undoubtedly the night and the occasion belong to the players, I feel the aftermath is where we as a club can reflect and be proud of what we’ve achieved.
“Anyone who was there and has seen us play before knows footballing-wise we weren’t at our best on Friday night, but the character and belief to come back was outstanding.
“After the 2019/20 season we needed to elevate ourselves slightly to be in the position to win things, and bringing in a few new faces as well as Mark (Warner) as assistant manager has really done that.
“Substitutions were pretty decent on Friday as well…!”.
Congratulations to Chatham Town FC and the Kent FA for a well-run evening.
Farnborough OBG: Matt Bishop, Otis Blaize, Ross Borg, Lee Cordner, Kalum Daini, Lee Friend, Alex Jarvis, Paul Lee, Dekklund Wallace, Ross Warburton, Mason West.
Substitutes: Connor Blackman, Jack Jeffrey, Jason Johns, Toby Palmer, George Perfitt.
Metrogas: Daryl Fishenden, Tom Fitzgerald, Tom Kember, Phillip Makinde, Marcus Markus, Chris Mirrlees, Dami Oni, Josh Reid, Chris Ware, Chris Weber, Joel Weston.
Substitutes: Raheem Chentouf, Brima Daramy, Cameron Hardie, Lamarl Hubbard, Akan Kasab.
Pictures supplied by PSP Images.