Boro take fourth win on the trot DAY PRAISES FIRST-HALF PERFORMANCE AGAINST AVELEY
MANAGER Spencer Day believes Farnborough were at their best during the first half of Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Aveley – their fourth consecutive victory in the National League South.
Boro have risen to tenth in the table, six points off the play-offs, thanks to their good run.
A brace from attacking midfielder Joe Haigh and a strike from Taylor Clark helped Boro come away from Worthing with a 3-2 victory in midweek.
Then, on Saturday, a frantic start against Aveley saw Farnborough’s Aaron Kuhl spectacularly miss the target from a sixth-minute penalty, after Reggie Young was fouled inside the box.
However, visiting midfielder Siju Odelusi showed the hosts how it was done by placing his spot-kick into the bottom left-hand corner, after Manny Ogunrinde was caught just inside the penalty area.
Two minutes after the restart, Day’s men made their bright start count. Ricky Holmes burst down the left wing and his low cross found
Olly Pendlebury whose shot was blocked, but Young tucked the rebound into the near post at the first time of asking.
After a half of pressure and attacks on the Aveley goal, Boro deservedly got their noses in front in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
Guy Hollis’s powerful long throw into the box was glanced into the net by towering defender Edon Pruti – his second goal in as many weeks.
The Essex outfit were reduced to 10 men on 81 minutes after Ryan Carr was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Farnborough’s Edon Pruti.
The Yellows then wasted little time in putting the game to bed.
A loose header from Aveley rightback Jason Ring was picked up by Joe Haigh who advanced into the box, opened his body and unleashed a curling strike into the top righthand corner.
“Of course, we’re delighted,” Day said. “I thought the first half was, honestly, some of the best football we’ve played in a long time.
“You’ve got to remember that this is a team that’s been around the play-offs or higher for most of the season.
“It was a bizarre first nine minutes. We start completely on top, get the penalty, miss it. The first time they get in our box and we give away a penalty, we’re 1-0 down. You’re thinking, ‘What’s going on?.’
“Delighted we showed real mental strength. We popped the ball around for fun and deservedly led at halftime. It really should have been more – that was my criticism.
“You’ve also got to credit Aveley. They were putting their bodies on the line all over the place. It wasn’t so much the goalkeeper, to be fair. I don’t think we worked him hard enough, but they were making blocks and they showed the spirit that’s got them so far and they’re having a wonderful season.
“Second half, I was a bit disappointed if I’m honest. I thought again, like against Welling, we lost our energy levels and we lost our control. It was a bit more even. I thought it was a lower standard game in the second half.
“It’s caught up with both teams and certainly ourselves. There is so much travelling at the moment and so many games. We looked tired.
“Let’s face it, Jack Turner’s made one save in the whole game; one tipover from a header which was straight at him.
“The red card, by all accounts, is just a stupid challenge. Then, a minute later, a wonderful 21st birthday present and goal from Joe Haigh. A fabulous strike and we’ve deservedly won the game.
“We could have wrapped it up more comfortably in the last five minutes. We’ve beaten a very good side who were very direct and very physical.
“In large parts, I thought we were head and shoulders the better team. Look at the attempts on goal and what our goalkeeper has had to save. Overall, delighted with another three points.”
Without a midweek game for the first time in a month, the Yellows now have a clear week to prepare for a trip to bottom of the table Dover Athletic on Saturday.