Falmouth Town manager, Andy Westgarth, has conveyed his disappointment following his team’s 2-0 defeat to Great Wakering Rovers in the FA Vase quarter-final. The loss signifies the end of Falmouth’s aspirations of reaching Wembley for the coveted final.
In a statement to BBC Radio Cornwall, Westgarth conceded that his team’s performance fell short of expectations and the defeat was a justified outcome. Despite notable performances in previous matches, Falmouth Town failed to deliver on the day, resulting in their elimination from the tournament.
Harry Talbot’s two goals in the second half, including a penalty, sealed Falmouth’s fate and marked the conclusion of their 700-mile journey to Great Wakering Rovers. Westgarth openly questioned his own decisions, pondering whether he had set up the team correctly and identifying areas for improvement. He also acknowledged that the players would be evaluating their performance as well.
Having previously triumphed over Jersey Bulls and even chartered a plane to ensure the team and its fans could attend the match in the Channel Islands, the disappointment of the quarter-final defeat was palpable. However, Westgarth also emphasized the pride in how far the team had progressed in the competition and stressed the necessity of learning from the experience.
Looking ahead, Westgarth noted that while the initial feeling was one of disappointment, there was an overriding sense of pride in the team’s achievements. He contemplated whether it was preferable to lose after a brilliant performance or to not show up at all, ultimately concluding that the disappointment arose from the team not giving a true account of themselves in the game.
Taking into consideration the highs and lows of the tournament, the Falmouth Town manager urged his team and fans to take pride in the journey while simultaneously utilizing the defeat as an opportunity for growth.
In conclusion, Andy Westgarth’s solemn contemplation on Falmouth Town’s FA Vase exit serves as a reminder that even in defeat, there are valuable lessons to be learned and that the significance of self-assessment and improvement should be at the forefront of the team’s future endeavours.