IT’S NOT ALL ROVER YET, VOWS BORO BOSS DAY

IT’S being billed as the classic David versus Goliath clash in the Southern League, but Spencer Day has warned his high-profile Farnborough side won’t be taking minnows Barton Rovers lightly at Cherrywood Road tomorrow afternoon.

Day’s men racked up 90 points and over 100 goals in their first season back at Step 4 after being relegated from Ryman Premier last season for financial irregularities.

In contrast, Jimmy Gray’s Barton Rovers have enjoyed a record season with their third place ranking as the highest ever league finish in the club’s history.

But despite suffering just one defeat in their last 13 games – and boasting the likes of ex-Football League stars such as Jamie Cureton, Scott Donnelly, Charlie Allen, Curtis Osano and Dennis Oli in their ranks – Day is taking absolutely nothing for granted.

“We are very aware of the curse of the secondplace team in play-offs and we are expecting a very tough afternoon,” said Day, pictured, after Boro’s 4-0 semi-final success against Egham Town on Wednesday night. “We finished 13 points clear of Barton and beat them twice in the league, but it means absolutely nothing come Monday. Play-offs are a lottery, anything can happen and we know we’re in for the same tough battle we have at Barton earlier in the month.

“After being relegated all the pitch last season, all we wanted was to stabilise, enjoy an uncomplicated season and enjoy our football again. We’ve done that and it’ll be fantastic for the fans who have stuck by us to top it off with promotion.”

Standing in their way are a Barton side with absolutely nothing to lose as they go in search of Step 3 football for the first time in the village club’s history.

Gray’s side edged out Marlow 2-0 in the play-off semi-final on Tuesday thanks to second-half strikes from Danny Watson and Connor Calcutt.

Now Gray says the Hertfordshire side have nothing to lose as they look to upset the odds and etch their names in club folklore.

“We are the underdogs, no doubt, but it will be nice to go into the game knowing that the pressure is on them,” he added.

“It’s going to be tough, of course, but we feel we have closed the gap and if we can nullify their threat, frustrate them, and show what we can do going forward, then who knows? It’s a final; anything can happen, we’re thoroughly looking forward to it.”