Porter heads high to seal silverware

A towering Ben Porter header gave Farndon United the edge as they overcame Coddington 1-0 in the annual Sam Arnold Memorial Trophy final on Sunday.

In front of a bumper crowd at Lowfields, the home of Newark Flowserve, the wide-man rose highest at the back post to get on the end of a searching Ian Hillier cross, giving United bragging rights over one of their biggest rivals.

The sides meet again next week in a potential title decider as Coddington chase the league crown and United have a second-placed finish to fight for.

Immediately after the final whistle Farndon boss Steve Venables revelled in cup triumph and couldn’t hide his delight and pride in the performance of his players.

He said: “We saw some epic performances from the lads out there. Their effort levels and quality was there for all to see.

“We managed to stop them playing throughout the game and got the goal which made all the difference.

“To get our hands on the trophy is exactly what the lads deserved for their tremendous performance. It makes it even better that we have got one over on Coddington who we have got again in the league in a week.

“Hopefully we can beat them next week too, but for now we will enjoy our success. I’m sure we will get through a few beers tonight to celebrate.”

Farndon started the brighter of the two sides having the better of the opening exchanges.

In the 18th minute winger Hillier crossed for Simon Greenfield but the defender, playing as a holding midfielder on the day, angled his header inches past the upright.

This prompted an immediate riposte from Coddington as Joe Sharp brought out the best in United stopper Mark Everington, who acrobatically saved a close-range snap shot from a Scott Grierson corner.

Shortly before the break Farndon struck through Porter to go in at the interval in front.

After the break Farndon could have extended their advantage as Hillier was again at the centre of the action — his cross-come-shot looping on to the top of the crossbar from 30 yards.

Coddington continued to fight to get on level terms and it was midfielder Grierson who came closest in the closing minutes — his first effort, a long-range free-kick, sailed narrowly wide, before again forcing Everington into an acrobatic stop as he rifled in a 25-yard pile-driver.

United managed to hang on for victory, and Coddington assistant boss Andy Cook said he was disappointed to lose out in such a close encounter.

“We are bitterly disappointed with that performance out there, I still feel we had more in the tank,” he said.

“It wasn’t a pretty game to watch because both sides played the game in the middle third of the pitch. But saying that we gave their keeper very little to do which is always disappointing in a final.

“But we pick ourselves up very quickly because we have a league game to win against these boys and that is what matters now.”