‘Individual errors, diabolical defending’ and win for Boro
FARNBOROUGH manager Spencer Day felt his side just about deserved their 3-2 win over Truro City on Saturday despite “individual errors and diabolical defending”.
After an unwelcome break from National League South action, Farnborough returned to the Saunders Transport Community Stadium to take on Truro City, exactly two weeks after their previous home outing.
Boro were awarded a penalty on 25 minutes when visiting striker Tyler Harvey handled inside the box from Olly Pendlebury’s corner. Loan midfielder Aaron Kuhl stepped up with another unstoppable spot-kick, despite goalkeeper James Hamon diving the correct way.
Truro City levelled on 38 minutes as Farnborough failed to deal with a deep corner and centre-back Ed Palmer was allowed time and space to hit a half-volley into the net.
Arguably the goal of the game arrived on 70 minutes. Just seconds after James Hamon was called into action to keep out Reggie Young’s strike, Boro quickly recycled the ball through Jordan Norville-Williams who whipped a teasing cross into the box for Ricky Holmes to head home from close range.
A counter attack for the visitors on 75 minutes resulted in an equalising goal as Farnborough made a mess of clearing the danger, allowing substitute Adam
Porter to lift the ball high into the net at the first time of asking.
There was late drama for the 808 spectators to witness in front of the Prospect Road End. Aaron Kuhl’s free-kick from near the halfway line was flicked on by Jack Ball for loan striker Hady Ghandour to head the winning goal into the net.
Farnborough manager Spencer Day said: “Where to start? I thought we deserved to win, just. I thought first half, we were the better side in the first 30 minutes. Their keeper has made a fantastic save. They caught us a little bit by playing out the back more than we thought they would. We got gifted the penalty, to be honest.
“They have a five-minute spell and we concede a terrible goal – but believe it or not, that’s not as bad as it is to come! A terrible goal. We give away a soft corner, don’t put any pressure on the ball and it bobbles into the net. Quite frankly, they still had a chance before half-time. I still think we’d edged the first half, but you can see that we’re so fragile. We got the gift of the penalty and didn’t push on, again.
“Second half I thought was a very even start to the half. Two teams cancel each other out... and then we go and score a fabulous goal. A goal that was practiced on Wednesday night, to the most appalling standard and it’s amazing it goes to a match and Jordan [Norville-Williams] puts in a fabulous cross, great header from Ricky [Holmes] and we’re 2-1 up. We then looked really bright, because they’ve got to come at us. Then, we give away arguably one of the worst goals I’ve ever seen at this level. At least one of my defenders, if not two or three of them and the goalkeeper are all involved, at first look. It was just... I’m glad there aren’t microphones around our bench.
“Then you’re thinking, hang on, do we take the point? We lost Ollie Robinson to injury, his knee opened up. Ricky Holmes was beyond exhausted, he was struggling. Jack Ball’s come on and he’s won the first phase header and Hady scores the winner. Great goal, so we’ve scored two fabulous goals. It’s taken three goals to win the game because of our individual errors and diabolical defending. You’ve almost got the whole of our season just summed up in one game.
“Was it a high-quality game? No. Did we deserve to win it? Just. Their keeper has made two or three great saves. Our keeper has made one, I think. Obviously I’m delighted, it’s another home win. Entertainment for the crowd? Yes. Our defending was nowhere near good enough. It’s been the story of our season. I think we’re the fifth highest scoring team in the Division and I think we’re the fifth highest conceding team.
“I’m thrilled for everybody. Backto-back home wins. We’re now into this really crazy period of game, game, game, game.”