Farnham Secure Third Promotion In A Row

Farnham made it an incredible three promotions on the bounce and now play Step Two football for the first time in history after playoff triumph. Take a look at how they did it.

Farnham vs Berkhamstead

Farnham finished second in the league eight points behind winners Walton & Hersham and 12 points clear of fifth place Berkhamstead, so hosted the semi-final at the Memorial Ground.

Owen Dean notched his 16th league goal of the season with a goal on the stroke of half time to put the hosts in the lead. Jonathan Lacey equalled the scoreline in the 67th minute from the spot, scoring his 19th of the season.

The game seemed destined for extra time and potentially penalties, until Farnham were awarded a spot kick in the 83rd, duly dispatched by Darryl Sanders to set up a home final.

Gloucester vs Poole

Finishing third and fourth respectively, both Gloucester and Poole were hoping for a Berkhamsted win to set up a home final, but the winner of this tie would have to settle for an away trip to a strong Farnham side.

As is to be expected in a game between two sides with a combined 173 league goals this season, it was a frantic start. Harvey Slade put the visitors in the lead in the 28th minute, before teenage loan star Rylie Siddall equalised a few moments later.

Poole came out all guns blazing in the second half with Shaq Gwengwe continuing his incredible goal scoring run making it 44 for the season. The Dolphins were heading for an unlikely win until club legend Joe Hanks made it two apiece in the 86th minute.

With tired legs after a breathless match, a set piece decided it, with towering centre back Michael O’Regan winning it for The Tigers.

Farnham vs Gloucester

The best two teams in the playoffs faced off in Surrey in what promised to be a barnstorming end to the season.

Perhaps surprisingly,   it was a quiet first half that ended goalless. The same cannot be said about the second half – which saw six goals.

A Darryl Sanders penalty and Billy Clifford and Bobby-Joe Taylor goals put Farnham 3-0 up after 65 minutes. Kane Simpson scored his 21st of the campaign minutes later to add to the nerves but Billy Clifford secured his hat trick with two late goals to seal a 5-1 win and promotion for The Town.