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Fabulous Farnham go to town  

Farnborough 0 Farnham Town 6

Farnham Town made a stunning entrance to the world of women's football with a 6-0 away win over Farnborough in the Adobe Women's FA Cup First Round Qualifying.

A Kaitlin Howard hat-trick was the highlight of a dominant performance in their first competitive match against opponents who enjoyed a brilliant debut season themselves, winning a League and Cup double in 2023-24.

 

Farnham were soon into their stride, using the full width of the pitch with Emma Mutch in particular getting dangerous crosses into the home penalty area. The opening goal came from a corner turned home by Howard on 11 minutes and chances came at regular intervals after that.

 

Farnham were kept at bay till the 45th minute largely thanks to outstanding goalkeeping from Morgan Palmer. A penalty save from Chloe Melton was the jewel in the crown but there were also two super brave one-on-one blocks deny Melton again and Eshe Davies.

 

Farnborough had also created openings in an exciting opening period with Ellie Stalley going close to equalising, but goals either side of the break put Farnham well clear.

 

Melton slid home a Howard shot on 45 minutes, then a superb counter attack gave Mutch the chance to finish well past the advancing Palmer on 47 minutes.

 

Farnborough kept well in the game as they sought a route back. Farnham keeper Emma Stait saved well from Ellie Stalley and a Kelly Rutledge free kick from 30 yards bounced to safety off the woodwork.

 

Some excellent finishing in the last ten minutes gave Farnham a six-goal haul. Howard hit a perfect first time lofted effort on 84 minutes, Francesca Thornton found the bottom left corner perfectly on 87 and finally Howard completed her hat-trick with a shot past the stranded Palmer's left hand on 90 minutes.

 

Farnham will start their South East Counties League Surrey Premier Division campaign with confidence and will travel to Newhaven in the next round of the Cup whilst Farnborough will no doubt bounce back in their Hampshire County League Division One adventure.

Farnborough: Morgan Palmer, Georgia Stalley, Ana Pitts, Jemma Forey, Esme Parsons, Ellie Stalley, Izabel Woodger, Kelly Rutledge, Farrah Yewings, Jordon Thompson, Emily White. Subs: Natalia Margilewska, Neve San Emeterio, Mia Dempsey.

Farnham Town: Emma Stait, Lucy Coker, Anya Kinnane, Megan Averill, Lilly May Varney, Francesca Thorton, Efro Theocharous, Kelsey Frost, Emma Mutch, Chloe Melton, Kaitlin Howard. Subs: Kiahna Atkins, Eshe Davies, Maz O‘Byrne.

Match report by Patrick Higgins