SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE CUP FINAL

AFC Portchester 4 Fawley AFC 0

FAWLEY AFC’s biggest regret about losing Saturday’s Sydenhams Wessex League Cup final was that they didn’t show what they were capable of.

As Division One underdogs there was no shame in coming second best to a top-flight AFC Portchester side laced with higher league pedigree.

But having already dumped out three Premier Division sides along the way – including holders Sholing – the Oilers failed to reach those dizzy heights again during a comprehensive 4-0 defeat at Portchester’s Blanchard Wells Stadium.

Truth to tell, there was never much doubt about the outcome from the moment seasoned hotshot Alex Baldacchino fired the Royals into an eighth-minute lead.

Fawley offered oodles of energy, tenacity and fighting spirit, while veteran midfielder Steve Green saw plenty of set-piece action.

But with Steve Ramsey bossing one flank and Dan Wooden the other, Portchester had too much quality in the locker for an Oilers side that never truly showed up.

The Royals led 2-0 at half-time and struck twice more in the last 12 minutes either side of Fawley being reduced to ten men when substitute Mark Lilley received a second yellow card.

Scott Johnston, who co-manages the Oilers with Lee Shepherd, reflected: “We surprised a lot of people getting to the final, but we didn’t do ourselves justice today.

“We were well below par and we’re obviously gutted that we didn’t show everyone what we’re capable of and how we got here.

“But Portchester are a good team and they’re at the right end of the Premier Division for a reason.

“Now that Blackfield & Langley and Andover going up, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them up there challenging next season. They’ve got a lot of experience and that told in the end, but there’s disappointment from us because we never really looked like scoring.

“But we win together and we lose together and I’m still proud of the team for getting this far.

“I’m thoroughly enjoying working alongside Lee (Shepherd) – he works so hard that he even makes me look lazy! We’re both young and still learning and we’ve got a very good relationship with the entire squad.”

Fawley’s turnover of goalkeepers has been off the scale in recent seasons, but the return of Jon Page has served them well.

He managed to stem the Portchester tide early on, brilliantly clawing Nathan Kirby’s seventh-minute header from under the bar following skipper Joe Bye’s corner. But, a minute later, he couldn’t repeat that feat as Baldacchino lofted the ball in for 1-0.

That lead was doubled on 28 minutes when Baldacchino switched to a supporting role, setting up Wooden to turn and thunder the ball into the roof of the net.

Page prevented further first-half damage by two-handedly turning over Rob Evans’ header and, ten minutes into the second period, Wooden’s header from Ramsey cross rebounded off the far post.

It was curtains for Fawley on 78 minutes when Baldacchino broke through again and calmly rounded Page to score.

Lilley had only been on for 12 minutes when he picked up a second booking for an alleged push in the build-up to that goal and the ten men duly conceded again three minutes later.

Ex-Saint Bobby Scott, on for Baldacchino, netted with his first touch, heading home Bye’s corner at the far post.

Baldacchino, who used to play just down the road to Fawley at Blackfield & Langley, was voted man-of-the-match.

He said: “Fawley are not a bad team. They’re probably too good for that league below.

“But the early goal settled us down a bit and then we could play our football.”

It was the second league cup victory in four years for the Royals – that man Baldacchino grabbing the extra-time winner against Petersfield in 2014/15.

AFC Portchester: Lewis Noice, Rob Evans, Simon Stone, Steve Ramsey, Harry Birmingham, Ollie Searle, Jake Morgan, Joe Bye, Nathan Kirby (Andy Todd, 86), Alex Baldacchino (Bobby Scott, 82), Dan Wooden (Dale Mason, 84). Subs (not used): Cameron Scott, Josh Warren.

Fawley AFC: Jon Page, Pete Keating, Matt Hawkins, Steve Green, Martin Buckthorpe, Dane Sayce, Ollie Bradley, Dan Semmens (Mark Lilley, 58), Ben Murphy, Declan Hartigan (Elliot Earl, 74), Ben Bolton. Subs (not used): Reece Macey, Nick Dwyer, Lee Burch.

Referee: Adam Baker (Poole)