A strong South Park (Reigate) defensive performance would see them beat Farnham Town 1-0 at Meadowbank Football Ground. 

As expected, there was a quick start to the 2024 Specsavers Surrey Senior Cup with the game being rather end-to-end. Each side would have consistent spells of possession, without creating too many chances. 

The better of the early chances would fall to South Park who were looking to get some quick shots away. They were however all from quite a distance and none of those would trouble Pat Nash in the Farnham goal. 

It would be the Sparks’ right-hand side which looked the most dangerous attacking outlet, with Mathias Tepe and Deondre Date linking up well. They’d put a string of enticing balls into the box, without anyone getting on the end of them.  

South Park continued to pile the pressure on the Farnham defence and were continuing to get plenty of shots off. The Town’s backline was holding firm though, getting in the way of the majority of those. Brendan Murphy-McVey would get one past in the 18th minute, but Nash would get across well to make a comfortable enough save.  

In the 26th minute, South Park’s Aiden Brown would find himself in space after a tricky run. As was the norm for much of the previous 20 minutes, he’d got his shot away quickly but would fail to hit the target from distance. 

The longer that South Park went without scoring, the more likely it seemed that Farnham would capitalise when the chance came. A tactical move to switch the wingers over would see Lewis Flatman move to the right-hand side and Farnham’s number 13 was looking increasingly dangerous as he tried to get his side on top. 

Farnham’s first shot on target would come in the 38th minute after Flatman’s corner found the head of Ryan Kinnane. The captain would however not connect with it properly, allowing Daniel Bracken to comfortably catch the ball.  

Going into half-time it was fair to say that neither side were really on top with the deadlock yet to be broken. 

Much like the first half, the second period would see each side want to get on the offensive. Nerves did seem to be present with both teams giving silly fouls away to start the half. 

Despite Farnham being the side who were on top at the start of the half, it would be South Park who would find the go-ahead goal. A quick counter attack saw Samuel King pick up the ball on the edge of the box. He’d dance past a couple of Town defenders before finding himself one-on-one with Nash, the keeper would get something on it but not enough to prevent it trickling into the net and it was advantage Sparks. 

After that goal, the tempo was upped and the same could be said for the aggression levels. A scuffle between a couple of players would keep referee Jonty Bolland busy and it seemed as if the game was set up for quite a feisty final 30 minutes. 

Farnham would be the ones who would enjoy the lion’s share of the possession with South Park happy sitting back and soaking up the majority of the pressure. As expected, they were looking to kill the game off entering the final 15 minutes but weren’t over the line just yet. 

As they were sending so many players forward, Town were susceptible on the counterattack. Murphy-McVey would try his luck from 40 yards out after spotting Nash off his line, but the midfielder couldn’t get enough on his effort.  

Entering six minutes of added time it was desperation mode for Farnham. They were however awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position and a great ball in from Harry Cooksley would find the head of Jack Dean. The defender’s header went goalwards but was met by a fine fingertip save from Bracken in the Sparks’ net. 

In the 97th minute, another great ball was put into the box by Farnham. Charlie Postance would rise the highest and it looked as if he’d found a last-minute equaliser, but his effort would brush the wrong side of the post, much to the dismay of the Farnham fans. That would be their last chance of the game, with South Park managing to hold on and in turn win the Specsavers Surrey Senior Cup. 

Goals: (South Park) King (57) 

POTM: Sam King 

Attendance: 549 

Match Officials: 

Referee: Jonty Bolland 
Assistant Referee: Andy Bennett 
Assistant Referee: Pat Nixon 
Fourth Official: Harrison Blair 

Farnham Town: Pat Nash, Jack Dean, Ryan Kinnane, Owen Dean, Harry Cooksley, Charlie Postance, Lewis Flatman, Joseph Jackson, Lamar Koroma, Brandon Kalu, Tom Smith, Michael Kinsella, Kai Tanner, Max Meaton 

South Park (Reigate): Daniel Bracken, Mathias Tepe, Kelvin Manuel Massango, Ryan Healy, Daniel Pappoe, Cerny Ando, Samuel King, Craig McGee, Aidan Brown, Brendan Murphy-McVey, Deondre Date, James McElligott, Thomas Smith, Kieran Lavery, Marco Haigh, William Grievensen 

Images of the game can be viewed and purchased by following the link below.  

MATCH GALLERY