FARNHAM TN 2, BALHAM 3

UNDER the watchful eye of soon-to-be-revealed new manager Luke Turkington, Farnham Town ended the season with a result that mirrored much of what preceded it since early November.

Farnham were decimated by injuries and there was a call-up from the reserves for long-time club servant Pat Sawkins, while interim manager Emmanuel Boudine was only able to name three substitutes.

Even so, Town made much the brighter start as top-five side Balham, themselves fielding several non-regulars, struggled to get to grips with the pace of the game.

But despite dominating the early stages, the home team found themselves behind on 26 minutes after an uncharacteristic mistake by left-back Tom Smith. His weak back-pass let Jerome Boncoeur sneak in and round keeper Richard Ossai before slipping the ball into an empty net.

Farnham barely had time to draw breath before they were two goals down. A long punt downfield found Arsen Ujkaj in acres of space and looking well offside, but the flag stayed down and Ujkaj finished coolly. From a position of dominance, it now looked game over for Farnham.

They kept their composure, though, and pulled one back just two minutes later. The referee adjudged Elliott Cardona to have been pushed in the back as a cross came in and recent penalty maestro Adam Horton calmly converted to put his side back in the game.

It was turning into an entertaining game, played in a great spirit by both sides, although after three goals in as many minutes, the spectators had to wait until the hour-mark for the next one.

Town failed to clear their lines properly and the clearance looped high into the air towards Jordan Alonge just outside the area. There didn’t look to be much on, but Alonge had other ideas and smashed an unstoppable volley past the despairing dive of Ossai.

To their credit, Farnham continued to press forward. Defender Jordan Stepney was moved up to provide more firepower and Balham were kept under the cosh.

But relentless pressure only brought one more goal, Andy Tarrant scoring his first for the club with a header from a corner, right on 90 minutes.

Farnham, without a league win in nearly six months, finish bottom of the Premier League. The demise of a relatively strong squad remains a mystery to the club and supporters, and probably to the players themselves. Having three managers in the last quarter of the season probably didn’t help.

However, Farnham have taken positive action, with a new manager being announced just 48 hours later. The club is also looking at organisational changes, both on and off the pitch, and aim to come back bigger and stronger.

Farnham now await to hear exactly where they will be playing their football next season. Due to the FA’s re-organisation of the non-league pyramid, Town could yet remain in the Combined Counties League’s Premier Division rather than follow the usual route of relegation to Division One.

As has happened to other clubs, there could also be a sideways move into another league.

Judging from previous FA re-structuring, Farnham will not know their fate for some time yet.

Club secretary John Lowe said that Luke Turkington had been appointed manager for next season after an exhaustive search and selection process. “Luke has a wealth of knowledge and experience of the local football scene, gained as a player and coach,” he told the Herald. “He has experience of the Combined Counties, Hellenic and Southern Leagues, including a stint as a player with Farnham.

“The committee felt that this experience and his contacts would prove invaluable as we move forward to next season and beyond.

“During the selection process, it was clear that Luke has the ambition, tenacity, drive and passion to lead from the front and provide a ‘whole club’ approach to managing the first team as we look to rebuild following a disappointing season.

“We are sure that our loyal supporters will be as excited about this appointment as we are and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Luke and his coaching team.”

Turkington has taken up the post immediately after resigning as manager of Hellenic League Division 1 East side Sandhurst Town.

He guided Sandhurst to eighth and fourth in his two seasons at the club and the Fizzers also reached the first round proper of the FA Vase this campaign.

Luke is the brother of Dan Turkington who had a successful spell as manager of Camberley Town, although, just two seasons ago, Farnham beat the Krooners in the CCL Challenge Cup final.

Luke Turkington, who was a spectator at the Memorial Ground on Saturday, said: “I look forward to the challenge ahead and I’m excited to be taking on a new season in the Combined Counties League.

“I’ll be looking to improve and strengthen the side with new players, but there is already a good core of players to work with.

“If the players can provide the same level of commitment and enthusiasm as the management team will, then we shall be in a good position come the end of the season.”

John Lowe added: “Immense thanks from Farnham to Emmanuel Boudine for stepping in as manager at such short notice towards the end of the season. Manu’s effort, dedication and application have been exemplary and his hard work was much appreciated by all at the club.”