Creeksiders clinch success from Frimley score-fest
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM TOWN guaranteed their third round spot in the Wessex League Cup with a brilliant knockout victory as they travelled to Frimley Green on Tuesday evening; eventually sealing an eight-four success following a ‘scoring exhibition’ as both teams shared a total of twelve goals across the encounter watched by a small crowd at the Recreation Ground.
The Creeksiders began brightly and should have netted in seven minutes as Connor Underhill drove wide; whilst Henri Graham and Sam Woodward further went close with varying efforts. Underhill soon brushed the bottom left post with a fierce shot before seeing another drive blocked away at source; Frimley doing very well to weather the strong pressure.
But a 1st goal was going and it came in twenty minutes through away midfielder Matt Pates, who collected the ball and placed inside the far left corner for one-nil after a jinxing run. However Frimley were undeterred and played a deep ball forward that split the defences to land at Victor King; the striker making little mistake in slotting home the fast equaliser.
It was two-one shortly afterwards when Cam Sullivan’s drive was deflected into Underhill, and the midfielder struck into the net from the angle; a goal that was followed by other chances for Woodward and Charlie Cooper. And Fareham did add a third before half time as Underhill burst into the box before placing a shot beyond the home keeper’s dive for 3-1.
Although Frimley hit the bar after 2 substitutes, it was the visitors who were stronger in possession and got a reward on 50 minutes when Woodward fired home their fourth goal with a stylish finish. This sparked a fifth goal as Pates doubled his tally with an outstanding run and finish whilst he confirmed the ‘hat trick’ with a penalty to make it 6-1 after the hour.
Substitutions led to a lull before a seventh goal for Fareham arrived through Elliot Turnbull who latched onto a free-kick and tapped it home past the keeper on 74 minutes. Frimley did respond to make it 7-2 as TJ Taylor found a pocket and floated over Declan McCarthy, but this eighth away goal quickly followed as Woodward calmly stroked home with ease.
As a massive credit Frimley relentlessly attacked when in possession and they earnt a third goal on eighty-five minutes as Taylor picked up a square pass; the attacker rocketing home into the side of the net for 8-3. And the final goal of the match came in additional time as a home attacker took advantage of some sloppy passing to make it 8-4 at the whistle.
This victory marks a recent streak of four successive wins since losing to Clanfield in August and they now have to wait to find out their opponents for the next round of this competition. In the meantime the Creeksiders return to their league action as they host Laverstock & Ford at Cams Alders on Saturday before a trip to United Services Portsmouth (17/09).
PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN: Visiting player tries to get through multiple challenges in a ‘high-scoring’ cup thriller.
