Cup final let-down

A TIGHT Hampshire Cup final was settled in Farnborough's favour when Warren McBean took advantage of a defensive lapse to dash Basingstoke Town's hopes of county silverware for the first time since 1997.

Unmarked striker McBean steered home from close range after Town goalkeeper Stuart Searle's weak punch away from Ashley Sestanovich's right-channel free-kick was returned into the danger area by sub' Matt Pattison.

Town boss Francis Vines felt Searle could, and should, have caught the ball instead of punching, for it meant the Town defence, still in their set-piece marking positions, got caught out as McBean met the delivery by poking in for his 76th-minute goal.

"It's been the story of our season - giving sloppy goals away," said crest-fallen Basingstoke captain Jason Bristow afterwards.

"I felt Farnborough were running out of ideas at that stage. It's gutting to lose to a goal like that."

As a spectacle, the football on Monday night did not match the quality of the venue.

Bournemouth's Dean Court provided a fantastic stage for the wonderfully-vocal fans of both clubs to sing their hearts out and enjoy a showcase football final.

Sadly, it did not materialise and McBean's scrappy effort epitomised a dour contest of little clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities, or cohesive, flowing football.

Defeat was rough justice on Basingstoke, after they had dealt comfortably with a Farnborough side who, for all their possession, failed to trouble their opponents or call Searle into action.

Unbeaten in 15 matches and riding high in third place in the Nationwide South, Farnborough were always the favourites to win.

And throughout the match, Frank Gray's men looked the more likely to step up a gear, if needed, to score, especially with the dangerous Ashley Sestanovich in their ranks.

It was the ex-Sheffield United midfielder who created Farnborough's best chance of the first-half - his run and defence-dissecting diagonal pass picking out McBean for an angled shot that hit the outside of the right post, although Searle had it covered.

But, despite their policy of containment and the fact it left strikers James Taylor and Ben Wright isolated, Basingstoke could have gone in at half-time 2-0 ahead.

On 37 minutes, David Ray, who enjoyed a fine right-wing display and was clearly enthused, got beyond full-back Sean Hankin to deliver a by-line cross that was flicked on by Wright and then turned narrowly over the bar from six yards by Farnborough captain Mark Rooney, under pressure from Taylor.

And it was promising teenager Wright who almost gave Town the lead on the stroke of the interval.

After latching on to a Ray midfield ball over the top of the defence, his lob attempt drew an instinctive push over the bar by goalkeeper Kevin Scriven as Jay Smith made things tough for the youngster getting back.

It was the first save of note from either 'keeper and, as the second half began, Vines' charges had clearly been inspired by the manager's half-time team-talk.

There was more intent and purpose about the Basingstoke players, with Taylor winning the refereeing decisions that had previously been going against him, to secure free-kicks in dangerous areas.

And it was Wright who again had the best Town chance. On 61 minutes, a Ricci Dolan through-ball, after a three-on-two breakaway, sent him away beyond the Farnborough back-line and, on his left-side at an angle 10 yards out, having outpaced Jay Gasson, Wright drew a fine save from Scrivens, who turned it around his near post.

But just when it appeared extra-time and penalties would be required as the match started to peter out, Lewis Cook's foul on Sestanovich gave away the free-kick from which Farnborough went on to score.

And, despite Cook's fine cross at the death for Town's last great chance, one that Taylor agonisingly headed wide from 10 yards out, it was Farnborough's night.

Delighted Farnborough boss Gray said: "That's three 1-0 victories we've had over Basingstoke this season and I am very pleased for my players.

"We had a lot of possession without really creating chances. Our final ball and final decision-making wasn't the best, but I am nit-picking, I suppose. You always want a bit more.

"It's great to have won a trophy and Warren is on a great run at the moment. I am particularly pleased for him and hope it carries on.

"This game came at a good time for us because I feel it will be good preparation for the play-offs and, if we get to the final, it will be similar to this type of occasion."

Basingstoke Town: Stuart Searle, Lee Molyneaux, Neville Stamp (Mark Paterson 87 mins), Jason Bristow, Danny Brown, Ben Surey, David Ray, Ricci Dolan (Jamie Gosling 78 mins), Ben Wright (Giuseppe Sole 68 mins), James Taylor, Lewis Cook. Not used: Wayne Heath, Andy Smallpiece.

Farnborough Town: Kevin Scriven, Danny Allen-Page, Sean Hankin, Mark Rooney, Jay Gasson, Jay Smith, Ashley Sestanovich, Warren McBean (Paul Harkness 83 mins), Carl Gibbs, Steve Laidler, Tyron Smith (Matt Pattison 63 mins). Not used: Ben Townsend, Matt Warner, Michael Charles.

Attendance: 943

Man-of-the-match: Ashley Sestanovich

First published: Thursday, April 27, 2006