WHITCHURCH United departed the Hampshire Senior Cup beaten but unbowed after giving Farnborough a difficult game at PaddyPower Park last night.

Goals from Amadeu Arnau and Louie Theophanous secured the hosts a place in the semi-finals, but it was a far from convincing display from the Vanarama Conference South side.

Whitchurch played their part, working hard to stop Farnborough playing, while home goalkeeper Ashley West made a couple of good saves to stop the visitors getting on the scoresheet.

Farnborough were on top in the early stages, but the visitors defended well to prevent them creating any real chances.

Indeed, it was the Jam Boys who had the first real effort of the game. Danny Phillips slipped when it looked like he might latch on to Jamie Mansell’s flick, but the striker kept the ball alive, putting in a cross that West flapped at. The ball dropped to Matt Austin and his volley from just outside the box forced West into the first save of the match.

Farnborough looked panicky at the back and a free-kick into the area almost led to an own goal, but it was the hosts who took the lead with 39 minutes on the clock.

There was a touch of fortune in the build-up, the ball taking an unfortunate ricochet off Whitchurch’s Danny Barker, but Arnau’s finish was unerring, his angled shot from the right side of the area finding the far corner.

Farnborough manager Spencer Day responded by making the one change available to him, replacing Phil Page with Adam Brice minutes after a heated on-pitch debate between the striker and his manager.

The hosts probably should have had a penalty just before the break, but Basingstoke referee Jonathan Hollier ruled that Ryan Lambert had not brought down Harry Grant.

Whitchurch went close to pulling level early in the second half. Mansell curled a low shot around the wall from a free-kick, forcing West into a decent save. He then recovered to claw the ball away from two onrushing attackers, with Phillips going close from distance shortly afterwards.

The visitors were briefly reduced to 10 men while centre-back Adam Pearson was bandaged up after falling awkwardly and banging his head. Farnborough nearly took advantage, but Austin made an excellent tackle to deny Brice.

The home side had another strong claim for a penalty turned down when Pearson seemed to bring down Theophanous, while Whitchurch goalkeeper Brad Snelling made a good save with his legs to deny Duncan Culley soon after.

The visitors went straight up the other end and forged their best chance of the match. The ball broke for Mansell in the area, but his effort was tipped over the bar by West.

Whitchurch looked to press as time began to run out, but they were largely restricted to shots from distance and Theophanous made the game safe two minutes from time, poking home from close range after good work from Culley.

The hosts could have extended their lead in injury-time, but Culley chose to shoot rather than play in Brice, who would have had a tap-in. Snelling made a comfortable save.

Whitchurch return to Wessex League Premier Division action on Saturday, making the trip to struggling Christchurch.

Click here to watch a post-match interview with Whitchurch manager Carl Bennett

Farnborough: West, Siaw, Treacher, Fearn, Foot, Hand, Arnau, Grant, Page (sub Brice 40min), Theophanous, Culley.

Whitchurch United: Snelling, Lambert (sub Hinchcliffe 82min), Harfield, Barker, Fear, Pearson, Austin, Hassell (sub Lockyer 68min), Phillips, McCarthy, Mansell (sub Gray 71min). Subs (not used): Patrick, Lewis.

Attendance: 96