Farnham Town’s walking footballers enjoyed massive success as they made their bow in the Sussex FA League Cup.

Playing their first ever competitive fixtures, the Farnham Town Flares multi-age team – where at least one player aged over 70 must be on the field – comprehensively topped their group with a 2-0 win over SFA League runners-up Woking and an even more convincing 3-0 win over the hosts Walton.

The final saw the Flares up against Godalming, the SFA Multiage League champions – and a side who had gone through their 20-game league season without dropping a point, conceding only three goals in the process!

Farnham created a shock when they took the lead through a wonder strike by Sam Harness, but as the game progressed, the vastly more experienced Godalming began to impose themselves.

Despite a fine performance from Farnham, Godalming eventually ran out 3-1 winners.

The Farnham Flares over-50s also topped their group, battling to a 0-0 draw with SFA Over-50 League runners-up Chelsea, and then beating the league champions Godalming 1-0, thanks to a well-taken goal by Ashley Jones.

But they would lose out on the silverware in the cruellest manner imaginable.

After playing out a 0-0 draw with Walton – which featured a penalty save from Flares keeper Mike Platten – the competition rules dictated the tie would be decided by offences committed during the game.

Contact fouls were level at 2-2 – but Farnham had committed three running offences to Walton’s one, so lost out.

It may have been an awful way to lose a final, but Farnham can take huge pride in the performances of their teams which bode well for next season when the Flares will be entering teams in the SFA Over-50, Over-60 and Multiage Leagues.

Anyone aged over 45 who fancies joining the Farnham Town Flares squad should email Andy at [email protected] – and he will get you along to one of the club’s Tuesday evening sessions in Aldershot.