Boro fall to division champions but have one eye on play-offs
FARNBOROUGH fell to defeat in their final regular Southern League Premier Division South game of the season, going down 2-1 to champions Taunton Town.
A much-changed Boro line-up saw full-back Robert Howard introduced into the starting line-up alongside recently recalled midfielder Harry Cooksley. Fresh from his successful loan spell with Hartley Wintney, manager Spencer Day had one eye on last night’s play-off semi-final tie against Met Police.
The hosts began nervously but grew into the game and those nerves were settled on 38 minutes.
A Taunton corner was cleared as far as Joe Guest, who unleashed a first-time strike at goal which was flicked home by Ross Stearn.
Farnborough responded with an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
Midfielder Adam Martin cushioned a header into the path of Paul Hodges who spun on the edge of the box and his shot was spilled by goalkeeper William Buse, where captain CJ Fearn was on hand to blast the rebound into the net.
Farnborough defended well throughout the second half up until the 86th minute when Taunton leftback Jay Foulston fired an unstoppable late winner past goalkeeper Jack Turner. Midfielder Lloyd James cleverly slid Foulston in behind the visiting defence for the full-back to unleash a left-footed strike into the top right-hand corner.
A mass pitch invasion followed the referee’s full-time whistle as Taunton were crowned Southern League Premier South champions, while Farnborough ended the campaign in third.
Ahead of yesterday’s play-off semi-final, Boro chairman Simon Gardener said: “We have the opportunity to extend the season as we compete against Metropolitan Police who finished one place below us in the league.
“It’s not going to be an easy game as the visitors are a strong and organised team who have already beaten us earlier in the season.
“There is one thing I feel will help and give our players a boost, and that is Farnborough’s fantastic supporters.
“Throughout the season you have travelled in your numbers cheering and supporting the team.
“Outstanding. So, on behalf of the players, management, directors and your chairman, all that is left for me to say is let’s get behind the team.”
HARTLEY WINTNEY boss Anthony Millerick believes his team can ‘hold their heads up high’ after a credible draw with Hayes & Yeading United.
Millerick’s side had a 2-0 lead at half-time but were unable to hold the visitors back in the final game of the Southern League Premier Division South season.
Millerick said: “We were excellent in the first half. Hayes & Yeading are a good side and we knew they would be back in the second period.
“We were unlucky to hit the bar twice. It was disappointing not to get the three points but we were competitive throughout.
“It was a good team performance with all players performing well. It was pleasing that we responded well when Hayes & Yeading equalised, we were competitive until the end. On this performance the team can hold their heads up high. They showed a lot of character.
“It has been a difficult season in so many ways. However, we have finished strongly.
“I have enjoyed my time as team manager of the club. There have been many memorable moments.
“I would like to thank all at the club for their support throughout. Hartley Wintney is a magical club and there is a feel about it that often you do not get elsewhere.
“The club has a culture and I am certain this will continue. However we are not totally finished. We have an Aldershot Senior Cup final to look forward to in mid-May.”
The hosts got off to the perfect start. Following a Hayes corner the ball fell to midfielder Josh Webb who sent a measured long pass to Lucias Vine, free on the left. The young striker made progress before cutting in and his shot found the corner of the net.
Hartley Wintney pressed strongly and on 13 minutes a long throw from
Kyan Nicholas resulted in a scramble in front of the Hayes goal, which was eventually cleared.
A minute later a corner from Webb found Sam Argent but his header crashed off the bar.
On 19 minutes Webb and Nicholas combined well and the latter’s parting shot went just wide.
Three minutes later the Row had another good opportunity when Vine exploited loose play in the visitors’ defence and his cross found Adam Allen who shot over when well placed.
Hayes came into the game and on 30 minutes Amos Nasha got behind the Hartley defence before being squeezed out. A corner from Nasha then found Keano Robinson as his header flew just wide.
But Hartley extended their lead on 43 minutes when Vine and Webb combined to set up Nicholas whose fierce shot from 20 yards found the back of the net.
In the second half Hayes were quick to try and reduce the deficit. Moses Emmanuel got free on the right and his cross saw Francis Amarty’s effort crash against the post off Matt Drage.
Continuous Hayes pressure brought reward when they pulled a goal back on 55 minutes. Amartey made good progress down the left and his cross was fired home from close range by Emmanuel.
Luke Williams made a good save to deny the equaliser, but his net was breached again on 67 minutes. Kadell Daniel’s low free-kick went through the Hartley Wintney wall and past the keeper.
Both sides pushed for the winner as Drage’s effort from 30 yards came back off the crossbar, but both were made to settle for a point.
for him, also over the crossbar. Farnham youngsters James Batchelor, Ange Djadja, Will May, Owen Dean and Olly Ryman all got more valuable minutes under their belt in a result that secured a top half finish in the club’s first season back in Step 5. The season’s highlight is the 32 goals scored by Josh Ogunseye, who was honoured in the club’s end of season awards.