Farnborough share the points in league battle
FARNBOROUGH travelled to Slough Town for the second time in as many months, but this time for National League South action, drawing 2-2 on Saturday.
With just five minutes on the clock, midfielder Olly Pendlebury won possession in midfield and his bursting run set Michael Folivi into a one-on-one battle down the left.
The Boro striker - who manager Spencer Day revealed had been minutes away from completing a switch to Hemel Hempstead Town a day previous - dribbled inside and unleashed a low strike into the bottom left-hand corner.
The hosts found themselves level just five minutes later. Matt Lench’s free-kick was allowed to bounce all the way to unmarked centre-back Dan Bayliss who guided a volley into the net.
A quickfire turnaround was complete on 22 minutes. Slough Town won possession on the touchline infront of the dugouts and a good move from left to right ended with David Ogbonna’s right-wing cross being tapped home by Nathan Minhas from close range.
There was a much-improved second half showing from Farnborough and a deserved equaliser arrived on 80 minutes. Substitute Taylor Maloney delivered a free-kick into the box which was fired into the net by Michael Folivi at the back post - a carbon copy of Slough Town’s opening goal.
A superb low save from Rebels goalkeeper Craig Hill prevented Boro’s Selim Saied from netting a late winner, as the two sides settled for a repeat scoreline of the September’s league meeting in Hampshire
“Obviously, head and shoulders above our worst defensive performance last week,” Day said. “Although, to be fair, we’ve had an admittance of two big, key moments that didn’t go our way.
“Look, a vast improvement on the performance. I thought for the first 15 minutes, we were quite superb. We totally dominated, scored a goal, could have scored another two and then I’m afraid our old frailties come in.
“Suddenly, you’re looking around going ‘how on earth are we 2-1 down’ on 20 minutes. The first time they get in our box, they score. It knocks the stuffing out of us.
“The purists will love it, but we’re still conceding goals. If you don’t defend properly, often it doesn’t really matter what system you’re playing.
“The rest of the half I thought was quite even. I thought Slough possibly edged it. Jack Turner [Farnborough goalkeeper] hasn’t had a proper save to make.
“Second half, make no bones about it, we changed shape and we were by head and shoulders the better side. We threw everything at them.
“Their keeper has made two or three great saves and I’ve got to congratulate him; he’s not been playing. He’s made a great save at the end.
“We thoroughly deserved the equaliser. Turner was almost a bystander. We went absolutely gungho for the last 20 minutes. I thought the subs made the difference and we got the minimum we deserved.
“You’ve also got to remember with Slough, they’re working really well for Scotty [Davies] and they’re always in the game. Harsh lessons. People are making mistakes and we get done from a set piece. Very poor first goal and the second goal I think is an own goal, unfortunately. We changed the system. We went back to basics, which is sort of my ‘go to’ when things aren’t going right. Vast improvement to last week, but you can’t concede soft goals.
“We are struggling a bit with the defence at the moment. It doesn’t matter who I put in there, or what shape. People have to stand up and be counted. We are also scoring.
“Delighted for the fans. It’s the first time I can say I’m leaving this place without getting a beating! They must be sick of coming here and not getting a result, so thrilled for them. Let’s take all the positives and we’ll move on to Braintree at home.”
Farnborough play their first and only home game of December this Saturday (December 23), with Braintree Town the visitors in the National League South.