Creeksiders beaten by five star Stoneham display
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM TOWN FC finished their long and difficult 2025-26 campaign with yet another defeat as they contested the Russell Cotes Cup Final against AFC Stoneham on Thursday evening (May 7); eventually slipping to this five-two loss to their in-form opponents following a clinical display throughout this night in front of a loud crowd at the Hants FA Hub.
The Creeksiders started brighter under dry skies and created the first opportunity after six minutes through Matt Pates, whose brilliant cross was smothered before Dan Sibley could tap into the net. Down the other end Callum Laycock did well to turn his man and get a low shot towards goal which was well saved down low by Fareham keeper Dan Bennett.
An injury stoppage helped Fareham to re-group and they took this early advantage after nineteen minutes when Asad Ssemwogerer made space inside the penalty box; the winger using the pace to hold off Dan Miller and placed into the corner for one-nil. In response Stoneham saw a goal disallowed for offside after a quick move and frustrations built up.
These did relax when a great pass was played in this Fareham box and fell to Laycock in space; the striker converting into the net for one-all in the thirty-fifth minute. Laycock then scored from another ball into the area moments later and confirmed his first half hat trick as Stoneham won a penalty after a trip as he nestled the spot-kick past the goalkeeper.
Proceedings resumed for the second half and Fareham made a rapid start as Pates was brought down in the box but the referee rejected these penalty appeals to this loud frustration amongst their contingent. The midfielder then raced through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat, but scuffed the low shot up into the ground and the ball was cleared.
A frantic goalline clearance followed as Ethan Jones floated a cross inside the box and this initial effort was denied by the keeper, before three rebounds were blocked and the fourth was kicked out of danger as Fareham looked to score. Instead it was Stoneham who scored a killer fourth goal with twenty minutes left when a ball was converted in this net.
It was five-one when Laycock took advantage of many missed clearances and blasted this shot home under pressure to completely end the hopes of a comeback, despite Pates seeing a low skidding effort saved. But the Creeksiders at least scored a second when Jones was quicker to a header hitting the bar and nodded home inside the corner for 5-2.
This defeat will be highly difficult for Fareham against lower league opposition and ends a season that has seen them relegated back into the Wessex Premier Division next year although this will be determined by the FA before July. For Stoneham they add this trophy to their league title and have this chance to add to it with two cup finals before May 17.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN FC MEDIA: Attacker tries to move ball forward in attack under Stoneham pressure.
