Fareham lose out in tight Hartpury cup encounter
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM TOWN crashed out of the FA Vase competition as they contested their fourth round encounter away against Hartpury University on Sunday afternoon (January 19); narrowly slipping to an one-nil loss versus their Gloucestershire based opponents despite an impressive second half performance during the rescheduled game from earlier this month.
The hosts adapted quicker to the bobbly pitch and their direct playing style yielded the opening chance within just eight minutes; Ben Baxter running inside and shooting narrowly wide of this far right stick. Down the other end Fareham saw Charlie Cooper link up along with Ashley Tattersall, but the fierce attempt flashed across the area before it was cleared.
Hartpury reasserted their control and were rewarded on eighteen minutes when Fareham lost the ball in midfield; Louis Manning collecting a pass from the winger and turning high past this goalkeeper for one-nil. It should have been two nil before the half hour when Baxter was found in a bit of space and sliced low towards goal; his drive being easily parried.
It took thirty-four minutes for the Creeksiders to create another opening as Alfie Bridgman’s pass was deflected into the path of Cooper, who saw his drive blocked before Josh Benfield was crunched during a tackle. This injury stoppage did allow Hartpury to regroup and they further had a final chance before the break as Declan McCarthy tipped over the bar.
It took thirty-four minutes for the Creeksiders to create another opening as Alfie Bridgman’s pass was deflected into the path of Cooper, who saw his drive blocked before Josh Benfield was crunched during a tackle. This injury stoppage did allow Hartpury to regroup and they further had a final chance before the break as Declan McCarthy tipped over the bar.
An enforced substitution injected much more balance to the away team after half time as Charlie Cole replaced injured Benfield; the midfielder linking up well and seeing his shot blocked at source five minutes into the second half. Another good Fareham attack followed moments later as Bridgman placed a ‘skidding’ shot on target, which was saved smartly.
Fareham were pushing and went closest yet again after sixty-eight minutes as a free-kick was looped into the crowded penalty area; the cross missing the head of an attacker and the home keeper gathered it on the second attempt. There was also big handball shouts for the visitors when Bridgman’s shot was blocked but these were rejected by the referee.
Substitutions followed in response across both benches as Fareham continued to play some dangerous crosses inside the area and saw two efforts drift off target; Hartpury doing brilliantly to maintain control under pressure. And this nearly allowed the hosts to double their leads on 89 minutes when their striker curled wide; the final whistle coming soon after.
The Creeksiders can celebrate their successes in the national competition despite their narrow defeat as they matched their previous best run and put in some brilliant performances throughout. Their attentions will now shift to huge league action this weekend as they play their ‘first home game’ of 2025 this Saturday; the outfit hosting Bournemouth Poppies.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN FC MEDIA: Away attacker prepares to fire drive under pressure from home defence.