Fareham progress with professional Bitton success
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM TOWN comfortably advanced into the next stage of the ‘FA Vase’ as they played Bitton AFC in a rearranged match on Saturday afternoon; beating their Western League opponents three-nil following a professional and enjoyable display throughout the knockout encounter which was watched by a loud crowd of over 250 supporters at Cams Alders.
The hosts started brighter on a bobbly surface and scored with their first attack on the seventh minute; Sam Woodward doing brilliantly to convert his shot into the bottom right for one-nil. It may have been two soon afterwards when Connor Underhill linked up alongside Josh Benfield; the latter’s ambitious attempt skidding past the right corner from the angle.
All home dominance continued with Matt Pates and Ash Tattersall going closer in quick succession; whilst Dan Bennett headed over the crossbar from a ‘set-piece’ delivery. Bitton goalkeeper Tom Creed was then in great form as he denied Woodward’s shot with his right leg, before away striker Lewis Russell was booked for a frustrated tackle on 29 minutes.
Bitton used their yellow as a warning and calmed themselves down with a spell of calm possession; which helped them create their first real attack as Ashley McCrane lashed his attempt narrowly over the bar from a brilliant cross. This was followed by a drive for Nathan Hall that was straight into the grasp of Declan McCarthy in a last move before the break.
It took just five minutes upon the restart for Bitton to push again through Rick Davies; whose bouncing drive on the turn was parried wide from Nathan Curnock’s fine throw. And the visitors were further punished with Fareham’s second goal arriving shortly afterwards as Woodward fired his shot into the near corner for 2-0; proving to be a ‘blow’ for the visitors.
Pates and Underhill saw varying attempts blocked at source as they pushed for a big third goal, before another shot on target was saved by Creed at his near post just after the hour mark. Substitutions across both teams then followed in a lull that took a real sting out of the match; the Creeksiders dominating the ball but lacked the passes to create chances.
To their credit Bitton never gave up and had an opportunity to push a nervous ending with 8 minutes left; neat interplay releasing their striker and he cut a shot inches wide of the far left post. But any away hopes were ended on 88 minutes when Fareham added a third; Underhill firing under the body of the goalkeeper with a calm finish to secure their victory.
The Creeksiders have confirmed a home clash against Barnstable Town in the next round of this Competition, which is currently scheduled to take place on November 9 at Cams Alders (3pm). Attentions should revert to the league as they play Brockenhurst next weekend with big hopes of extending their nine match winning run and keeping pace at the top.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN MEDIA: Ash Tattersall prepares to shoot as he shows fine footwork to beat defence.
