Racing Club Fantana 2 - 1 Sungate

Racing Club Fantana defied expectations by beating experienced Corinthian Sunday league outfit Sungate 2-1 in the Oxted Ford Cup Final on Sunday.

Many people fancied Sungate to comfortably claim the divisional trophy and Fantana were given little to no chance. RCF manager Bradley Micallef rallied his troops and they produced a truly fantastic performance, deservedly taking the silverware back down the A13. 

The only real surprise in the Fantana first eleven was the inclusion of left back Chris Tilbury. This was a bold decision by the manager, especially when you consider Ercan Fikrets outstanding form this season.

Looking at the two teams, this game genuinely had the makings of a ‘David & Goliath’ tie. Sungate, to a man, stand tall and wide, whereas their Fantana opponents are smaller and compact. You could be forgiven for thinking that the RCF could well be kicked out of this game.

The sun was shining and the pitch was in immaculate condition considering where we are in the current season. There was a slight cross wind but nothing that should stop this being a good game of football.

Sungate started brightly, with Brian Suchley flashing a shot just wide of the post in the first 5minutes. The warning signs were there – it wouldn’t be long before he would start finding the target.

As the game went on, tackles began fly in – there were some bone crunching challenges – the majority fair – the odd little niggle here or there. Sungates physical style was going to have to be matched by Fantana if they were to get anything out of this game – they weren’t disappointing. Captain Darren Waithe led the charge, launching himself into every tackle as if his life depended on it. Wherever he went, midfield dynamo Dave Sack wasn’t far behind, crunching his way through the Sungate midfield.

Racing began to impose themselves on the tie and won a corner which was delivered beautifully by full back Terry Prati. James Spicer got above his marker but powered his head a foot over the bar. In a game where there would be few chances, this looked like a very decent chance missed.

A couple more shots from the team in yellow warmed the hands of Adrian Dobrin but there didn’t seem to be an awful lot to worry about.

Down the other end, there was almost an embarrassing mistake from Sungates veteran goalkeeper who misjudged the bounce of a hopeful punt – as he scrambled back, his blushes were saved by a heroic clearance from Stuart Long.  

Fantana then missed what can only be described as an open goal. Danny Giemanjer, escaped the clutches of Long, delivered a delicious ball across the six yard box with Clarke steaming in at the back post – rather than putting the RCF a goal up, he took a massive air shot and the ball trickled out for a throw in. Sungate were let off the hook.

In between the goal mouth action, there were some bookings for a couple of late challenges and incessant complaining. Sungate were clearly rattled that they weren’t getting their own way and Racing just went about their business sensing they were there for the taking.

Towards the end of the half, a couple of deep free kicks by Burger troubled the Racing backline, but Rikki Prati was marshalling things extremely well – it was beginning to look like an assured and tidy effort from the back four.

0-0 0-0 HT

With the wind now against Racing, the instructions from the bench were simple – keep it on floor and don’t give away and stupid set pieces.

The second half began just how the first had finished – it was a real blood and thunder cup tie. The hits kept on coming, and both teams were going back for more. A couple of more bookings followed – one a piece this time, with Dave Sack being shown the yellow for an off the ball incident.

It seemed every time Sungate threatened to open the scoring, there was a Fantana soldier, willing to chuck himself in front of the ball. This sort of commitment had been lacking in some league games this season, but the players were clearly stepping up to Micallefs’ challenge of ‘grow a pair’…

As the game seemed deadlocked, Chris Tilbury switched play out to the right hand side where Stephen Clarke was waiting. He took the ball in his stride, then had the full back on toast -  as the defender came steaming back in to hit him, he shifted the ball from right to left and won a clear penalty.

The responsibility for penalties fell on striker James Spicer – he coolly dispatched it into the bottom left hand corner sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. Would the RCF dare to dream the unthinkable?

Sungate made a substitution, hoping to change the game – removing the tricky No.9 for a more direct centre forward.

 As Sungate pushed for an equaliser Stephen Clarke charged down a clearance, raced into the box and drilled the ball low and hard across the six yard box where Spicer was there to slam home from close range – cue unbelievable scenes. The bench rejoiced with a whole season of frustration being exerted. How would Gate react?

 With Sungate running out of ideas, Fantana gifted them a free kick 25 yards out. While the referee communicated to the wall that he would give them instruction, Burger bent the ball into the top corner with Dobrin rooted to the spot. Brief outrage followed from the Racing players – the referee clearly wasn’t going to change his mind so it was back to work. Game on.

Following a deep corner, Burger attacked a ball and was left semi conscious in a collision with the Racing keeper. Once up and running again, in an air of desperation, he was thrown forward as a fourth striker.

Racing began to find gaps at the back and Giemanjer weaved his magic only for the impressive Long to block his shot. Leiter also had a deflected shot which the keeper made a real meal of – nearly squirming into the net.

As the clocked ticked down, the referee seemed to think there was a need for 7 minutes of extra time. With Micallef roaming around his technical area like a caged lion and calls from the side for the whistle, he enforced a tactical change to sure up their midfield. Russell Leiter was withdrawn for Ercan Fikret, and James Spicer made way for Pete Pedonomou.

When the final whistle was blown – there was outrageous jubilation – tears, kisses and hugs. You name it, every show of public affection was on offer.

From back to front, to a man, Racing Club Fantana played like men possessed. The concentration, passion and commitment was there for all to see. A truly seismic performance from the green and whites.

Racing Club Fantana: Dobrin, T.Prati, Tilbury, R.Prati, Hunt, Clarke, Leiter (Fikret 79), Sack, Waithe (capt), Spicer (Pedonomou, 82), Giemanjer  - Subs not used – Day, Bhuwanee, Micallef

Goals: Spicer 58mins (pen), 75mins

Attendance  - 110