Boro’s dreams come true with play-off win BOSS DAY DELIGHTED AFTER TENSE VICTORY IN THE FINAL
HI everyone and welcome back to another commercial column for the football club.
I’m going to use this column this week to share my delight with our annual golf day at Puttenham Golf Club once again this year for 2022.
Eighteen teams including several sponsors, supporters and club representatives enjoyed fine weather and some excellent golf at one of Surrey’s most idealistic courses.
Generously sponsored by EBB
DELIGHTED Spencer Day’s first words after guiding Farnborough to promotion to the National League South were: “I’m checking that I’m not going to wake up in a minute and for this to be a dream, because that almost went to plan”.
Boro won a tense Southern League Premier South play-off final 2-1 at Hayes & Yeading on Monday, coming from behind after Moses Emmanuel had put the hosts in front in the 12th minute.
A defensive mistake from Jordan Norville-Williams allowed Boro winger Reggie Young in to round keeper Ravan Constable to grab an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
After Francis Amartey was sent off for Hayes five minutes into the second-half for raising his arm to Jack Ball and cutting his lip, Boro took advantage and won with a cool Sam Deering finish four minutes from time.
The Boro fans had come in numbers, around 800 in the 1,600 crowd, and spilled on to the pitch to celebrate at the final whistle, with potentially ugly scenes averted by players and officials as supporters confronted each other with emotions running high.
Thankfully order was restored and nothing could take away the feeling of euphoria in the visitors camp.
“You’ve got to love this,” said Day as the Boro fans celebrated long and loud.
“You do football for a long time – this is my 23rd year and that’s two promotions in five years – and it’s fantastic. You’ve got to enjoy every moment. The fans have been fantastic
Paper (for which we are extremely grateful for), the team led by Chris Ungaretti won the main prize in the four-ball competition, with Terry Jasper’s team in second, and third place picked up by Richard Buckmaster’s team having missed out on the count-back, as Attic Conversations finished fourth.
Our top teams were awarded superb prizes donated by Srixon Golf and we thank Srixon Golf too for their support.
Our Nearest The Pin winners were also awarded to Scott Lamont of L4 Teamwear and Ian Eccelsley, so congratulations to them on this too.
A delicious three-course dinner, as well as the volunteers. It’s an absolutely amazing day for the club.”
Boro almost went out to Met Police in the semi-final, scoring with seconds to spare to take the game into extra time.
“That’s the lottery of the play-offs,” said Day. “It’s been a hell of a long season. It’s been so tight between Taunton, Hayes, ourselves and Met Police, with Weston and Chesham too.
“It’s been a tough few years and we are going to enjoy this.”
In a game of few real chances, Boro keeper Jack Turner made a couple of important saves and the visitors scored at crucial times in the contest.
“We wanted to frustrate them,” added Day. “They are a fantastic side and congratulations to Hayes, they are a fabulous side. I thought both teams conceded absolutely diabolical goals in the first half.
“Ours was awful and their’s was as well and then obviously the red card changed it. I’ve seen it and it looks absolutely shocking. It’s a stonewall red.
“There was a lot of mind games beforehand. We expected to win but we also learned from the two previous games against them. You can’t come flying out here against Hayes.
“They are a phenomenal side. We wanted to stay in the game. We gave away a soft goal, then equalised with arguably a soft goal and frustrated them. Then their lad [Amartey] did something stupid and we capitalised. These players are a great bunch and I’m so pleased for them.”
Deering added: “I’m just pleased attended by a number of club representatives including chairman Shahid Azeem, head of football operations Terry Brown and first team manager Mark Molesley was followed by a raffle and auction, we have done the job and got it done. It was a tough season. We’ve just beaten a very talented team.
“When I got my chance I just stayed calm. I was relaxed and just picked the slot and slid it home. I haven’t celebrated all season. Now is the time to celebrate.”