FC finished runners up in the Jartazi Cup, a very enjoyable and entertaining contest, played in very hot conditions at the newly christened SRD Stadium. Spectators were treated to four one hour games consisting of two semi-finals, a 3rd place play off and the final itself. Greenwich Borough were the eventual winners in a closely fought final which went all the way to penalties.

FC’s semi-finalist opponents were Harrow Borough from the Isthmian Premier Division, a step higher than the home team. Harrow had the first real opportunity on 13 minutes when a melee in the box saw a decent shot deflected behind to safety.

Just three minutes later a wayward header back to the keeper almost gave FC an opportunity. From the resultant corner, a flicked header was cleared from the line by desperate Harrow defending. The pendulum swung the other way once again and on 19 minutes a lofted shot almost gave Harrow the lead and FC were pleased to see the ball just clear the bar.

FC took the lead on 35 minutes, a Kieron Turner cross was steered home by James Faulkner from a tight angle. Again Harrow challenged. A cross from the left saw a header placed just over the FC bar. This pressure told with 10 minutes left to play when Harrow eventually grabbed an equaliser with a classy strike from 20 yards.

An FC low shot on 55 minutes was blocked before FC grabbed the winner with a move of real quality. An attack down the left was rifled home to move FC into the final, an extremely satisfying result against senior opponents.

The next semi final featured Greenwich Borough of the Isthmian League Division One and fellow Southern League Division One side Egham and it was the Isthmian side who advanced to the final. Egham were unfortunately the holders of the afternoon’s wooden spoon, losing to Harrow in the 3rd place match, the prelude to the final.

The first move of that final was a Greenwich attack which ended with the FC keeper safely gathering a well hit shot. A few moments later the Isthmian side had another close effort when a dipping shot cleared the bar. Another wickedly drifting free kick gave FC something to think about as Greenwich began to enjoy themselves.

New Aylesbury boss Danny Gordon would have enjoyed this run out for his players as both his own side and Greenwich made sure this was no pre-season kick about as a few feisty challenges flew in here and there. Combatant midfielder Jonny Montgomery was in the thick of the action and gave yet another lung busting display of total commitment.

FC man Vinny Greco hit a decent shot just wide of the post and this was soon followed on 25 minutes when another Kieron Turner chance slapped against the post with the Greenwich keeper well beaten. Another Turner opportunity from the left saw the ball drift just past the post and from the corner, club legend Ben Stevens powered a header wide. Another experienced midfield man, Rob Tomlin saw his shot fail to break the net and so it was to penalties.

The penalty shootout was involved three penalties each rather than the traditional five. Both teams converted their first kick, with Greenwich also converting their second. FC blazed their effort over the bar and with Greenwich converting their third, the cup and the £1000 prize went to the visitors.