Lay confident of success for ‘in-form’ Detached side in trophy final

Farringdon Detached manager Liam Lay was in a confident mood, despite seeing his side narrowly miss out on a semifinal place in the Alan Hood Charity Cup.

Farringdon travelled to FC Hartlepool on Saturday knowing they would need a four-goal win to claim a top two place in group two.

All was going to plan as Rob Thompson continued his impressive form with a first-half brace to put his side in complete control at Grayfields.

Hartlepool hit back five minutes after the restart with a penalty from Luke Naylor – but Lay’s side restored their two-goal advantage when Karl Southern headed home on the hour-mark.

Despite some late pressure, Farringdon were unable to find the extra goals that would have snatched a lastfour place – but Lay revealed he has already shaken off the disappointment to look forward to next weekend’s Durham Trophy Final against Horden CW.

He told The Echo: “You want another semi-final, but it’s a competition that has just been thrown in by the league and we have a final to look forward to next weekend.

“Everyone in the side has been great and we are probably the most in-form team in the Wearside League at the moment.

“Horden are the only side that has beaten us twice this season, but we are still confident we can get a result.”

Washington United ended their first season as a Wearside League club with a defeat as Richmond Town claimed all three points in the final group one fixture at Nissan Sports Complex.

The visitors took a twogoal lead into half-time after a dominant first-half display was rewarded when Thomas Kavanagh found the net twice before the interval.

A late Lewis Charlton penalty gave United some hope, but they were unable to find an equaliser.

Assistant manager Kallum Warne revealed that attentions have already turned towards their plans for next season and expressed his hopes that his side can “kick on”.

He said: “It was a close game, but we missed clear chances to get back into it and even to win it. We’ll get a strong pre-season in and hopefully kick on next year.”

The semi-finals of the competition take place next weekend as Chester-le-Street United host Norton & StocktonAncientsandBoldonCAgo to Gateshead Leam Rangers.