Defeat is not the end for Boro
FARNBOROUGH’S impressive seven-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday at the hands of a strong full-time Maidstone United side who have their eyes on an immediate return to the National League’s top tier.
George Elokobi’s visitors were the stars of this season’s FA Cup campaign, remarkably bowing out of the competition at the fifth round stage just under than two months ago.
Occupying fourth place in the National League South, the Stones came into Saturday’s game second in the league’s form table – one place behind Spencer Day’s Boro.
In front of the second highest attendance of the season at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium, 1,526 spectators witnessed a second half winner separate the two in-form sides in a tight affair. It was a simple goal, as Maidstone United’s towering defender Raphe Brown was allowed to head home Sam Corne’s outswinging corner on 77 minutes.
Farnborough huffed and puffed, but the Kent outfit defended well to take all three points back home.
Speaking after the narrow defeat, Day said: “I’m extremely proud of the boys. I’m disappointed because I don’t think we showed what we’re about. It was probably a game too much for us.
“I’m gutted with the way we’ve lost the game. It’s a terrible goal to concede – a free header inside the box. We gave the ball away softly on the halfway line, we didn’t deal with it to give away a corner. It’s just a really bad goal to lose the game to. People make mistakes, it’s what happens.
“We didn’t do enough to win the game, but I thought they edged it.
“It was a horrible game in horrible conditions. Both teams fighting really, really hard. They definitely had the better of the half chances, there’s no doubt. They’re a really big, strong side Maidstone; in fabulous form themselves.
“We just didn’t really get going, which is really disappointing. We didn’t really show our ability. I thought the few times we did get the ball; we didn’t pass it particularly well. I can’t really argue about the result. As much as it was close, we didn’t do enough. I think we can do better. It’s still a learning exercise. If we’d have got a point, I’d have been delighted. All credit to Maidstone. They are a very well drilled, huge squad and they just about deserved the win.
“We’ve been playing so many games and I think it just caught up with us – the occasion. As much as I’m gutted to lose that winning run, we’ve only lost two in 14; to two of the massive sides that came down last year. So, a lot to be very proud of. From where we’ve come from, I think we’ve had a good season really. Since Christmas, we’ve generally been very, very good.
“The relief is we’re still in it. The results have gone our way. We’ve got a massive game on Thursday and a massive game on Saturday. It was a wonderful occasion, except for the result. I think it was a good exercise for what we’re going to face now against a rampant Chippenham side and then a Taunton side battling for their lives who have had a good result today.
“We’re one point behind [the final play-off spot] and we need you on Thursday and Saturday. Pass the word around.
“We’ve got three games. Let’s be blunt, I think if we win all three games, we will be in the play-offs. That’s what we’ve got to try and do. We’re still in this.”
Next up for the Yellows is a visit from in-form Chippenham Town tomorrow (Thursday) before a clash with relegation-threatened Taunton Town on Saturday afternoon.