In a final that will be replayed in Stoneham for decades, AFC Stoneham clinched the FA Vase with a 5-4 penalty victory over Cockfosters on Saturday evening at Twickenham Stadium. The match had ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and extra time, forcing the first all-Hampshire final in the competition’s history into a shootout.
Key Points
- ✅ AFC Stoneham win first major trophy in club history
- ⚡ 5-4 penalty shootout victory after 0-0 draw and extra time
- 💡 First all-Hampshire final in FA Vase history
The decisive moment came when Stoneham goalkeeper Liam Carter guessed the right direction and palmed away Cockfosters’ fifth penalty before slotting home the winner himself in the sixth round. It capped a season in which Stoneham, playing in the ninth tier of English football, overcame teams from five divisions to reach the final.
Cockfosters, from the eighth tier, dominated possession but failed to convert their chances, with striker Danny Webb hitting the post in the first half and midfielder James Ellis seeing a late header cleared off the line by Carter. Stoneham’s manager, ex-professional Mark Holloway, said the win was the result of “unwavering belief” despite the financial constraints of non-league football.
| Final Stats | Stoneham | Cockfosters |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 42% | 58% |
| Shots | 14 | 18 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 5 |
| Corners | 4 | 7 |
| Fouls | 12 | 15 |
The victory marks a seismic shift in English non-league football, where giants from lower divisions have increasingly disrupted the established order. Stoneham, founded in 1947, had never previously reached the second round proper of the FA Vase before this season. Their run included victories over clubs from the sixth and seventh tiers, culminating in a semi-final triumph over Northwich Victoria, a club with a history stretching back to 1886.
💡 Pro Tip
Non-league clubs targeting cup runs should prioritize squad depth over star signings—Stoneham’s starting XI included three players who had not featured in their previous round.
Cockfosters, managed by former Watford player Steve Jenkins, had been bidding to become the lowest-ranked side to win the FA Vase since 1979. Jenkins admitted post-match that his team’s “composure under pressure deserted us” in the shootout, despite a disciplined display throughout the tournament.
📋 By The Numbers
- 9 — Number of divisions Stoneham defeated to reach the final
- £15,000 — Prize money awarded to the winners
- 1947 — Year AFC Stoneham was founded
The trophy was presented on the pitch at Twickenham by former England international Faye White, who praised the “sheer grit and determination” of both teams. A crowd of 8,237 witnessed the final, the largest for an FA Vase showpiece since 2017. Stoneham will now face the winners of the FA Trophy final in the annual FA Vase vs FA Trophy champions match at Wembley in May.
- First half — Cockfosters dominated with 65% possession but failed to create clear chances, with Webb’s volley from 25 yards drifting inches wide.
- Second half — Stoneham pushed forward in waves, with striker Sam Bailey forcing a save from Cockfosters goalkeeper Tom Smith.
- Extra time — Both teams tired visibly; Smith made a crucial save from Bailey in the 105th minute, while Carter produced a reflex stop to deny Ellis.
- Penalty shootout — Carter guessed left for Cockfosters’ first penalty, diving to his right to keep it out. Stoneham scored all five before Carter sealed the win.
The win earns Stoneham a place in the 2025-26 FA Cup first round proper, where they will face a Football League side for the first time in their history. The club’s social media channels crashed within minutes of the final whistle as fans celebrated the historic achievement. Holloway, a former Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest player, now faces the challenge of managing expectations in a clubhouse that has just doubled its entire history in silverware.
- 📊 Stoneham scored 14 goals in their seven FA Vase matches en route to the final
- 🔍 Cockfosters conceded just twice in their previous six rounds before the final
- ⚠️ The prize money of £15,000 will cover less than a quarter of Stoneham’s annual running costs