FARNHAM TN 2, WHYTELEAFE 2

(Farnham won 5-4 on pens)

AFTER dip in form since their FA Vase defeat, Farnham Town returned to winning ways on a blustery Tuesday night at the Memorial Ground by defeating higher-ranked Whyteleafe in the Surrey Senior Cup first round proper.

The conditions threatened to make entertaining football nigh on impossible, but credit must go to both sides for the way they adapted and played out an excellent cup-tie.

Whyteleafe were first to threaten and got in behind the Farnham defence, but a combination of poor finishing and fine goalkeeping from Adrian Giles kept the scores level. Farnham, however, were using their pace on the break and had already narrowly missed through recent signing Luke Perkins before Elliott Cardona smashed home a thunderous shot from the edge of the area to put Town ahead in the 13th minute

Whyteleafe – currently ninth in the Bostik League South – were quick to respond and equalised after 25 minutes when pacey striker Vance Bola got on the end of a cross to score from close range.

The visitors flew out of the traps in the second half in a determined effort to put the game to bed, but Farnham hit them on the break and a ball over the top released Perkins who calmly rounded the keeper and slotted home between two covering defenders.

Within eight minutes, Whyteleafe replied with an almost carbon-copy of their first goal, allowing Tommy Hutchings to square the match at 2-2.

The game now followed a pattern of Whyteleafe dominating possession and Farnham defending valiantly and using their pace on the break. When the visitors managed to break the shackles, they found keeper Giles in inspired form.

So remained two apiece at 90 minutes and the game went straight to penalties. The Farnham players put their recent poor record from the spot behind them to score all five which mean that a penalty smashed against the bar by Whyteleafe’s number 9, Charlie Postance, sent the crowd into raptures. Farnham are through to the second round.

“I’ve said all season that I have faith with the squad we have,” said manager Paul Tanner. “The new players we are signing gives us the strength in depth to have reasonable success and go on improving.”

• Farnham are away to North Greenford this Saturday. On Tuesday, Farnham host high-riding Bedfont Sports.