FEARN EARNS BORO SPOILS
NOT all heroes wear capes but fans of Farnborough are measuring up long-serving captain CJ Fearn for his superman attire after orchestrating a remarkable late turnaround at Cherrywood Road.
Trailing to Helson Alves’ 85th-minute opener, homegrown Fearn – a 25-year-old product of the club’s academy – then made a crucial block to keep Met Police in striking distance before netting a dramatic equaliser five minutes into stoppage time.
And Boro took full advantage with Mitchell Parker firing an extra-time winner to earn a play-off final meeting at Hayes & Yeading tomorrow.
“I’m a fan as much as a player so it was an absolutely huge day for me personally,” said Fearn who has played in all 11 positions for his hometown side. “In many ways though, the block was most important than the goal itself.
“It’s such a pleasure to be playing – and captaining – this team with these top players and it would be an amazing feeling if we can go one step further.”
Met started like a train with Alvis rattling the crossbar in the opening few seconds, while former Farnborough man Bernie Tanner headed just wide from Ollie Knight’s cross.
Boro, though, did come back into it but found their former keeper Liam Beach in inspired form at the other end, saving well from Parker.
Beach then denied Parker again when put through one-on-one and that proved key on 85 minutes when Knight floated a ball in from the left and Alves pounced on a moment’s hesitancy in the Boro box to fire home.
Fearn’s heroic block two minutes later to deny Alves again sparked a late surge from the home side and five minutes into time added on they got their reward when Fearn headed home at the far post from a corner to send the 1,000-strong home crowd into raptures and take the tie to extra time.
That late twist shifted the momentum and within five minutes of the added time Farnborough edged in front, courtesy of a fine swivel finish from Parker.
A combination of keeper Jack Turner and sub Adam Martin denied Met in a tense finale but Boro held on.
Met Police boss Gavin Macpherson said: “It was always going to be fine margins. You’ve got to take your chances when they come.
“I’m extremely proud of my boys. Hopefully, in time, they will reflect on just how well they have done.”
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