Farnborough FC

Farnborough boss reeling by fresh injury blow

By Jon Couch
August 16, 2012

FARNBOROUGH boss Spencer Day has been handed a massive blow ahead of tomorrow's season opener with Dover Athletic after star striker Dave Tarpey was ruled out for “weeks if not a few months” with an ankle injury.

Tarpey, who arrived from Hampton & Richmond in the summer, suffered an innocuous fall during a squad training game on Tuesday night and has spent the week undergoing tests to determine the extent of the injury.

“It’s typical,” said a dejected Day. “Just when things seem to be on the up after the performance at St Neots and the unveiling of our new sponsors, this happens.

“He just turned over on the pitch and his ankle swelled up to around three times the size. I've not seen anything like it.

“It’s a massive blows to us because Tarps has been sensational in pre-season and will prove to be a big player for us. Anyone who scores 20+ goals in this league for a relegated side is going to be a big miss.”

With Tarpey out, Day could now turn to one of his two new signings to lead the line at the Crabble tomorrow.

Polish pair Jacek Magdzinski and Michal Steinke both impressed in a 2-1 victory at St Neots last Saturday and have subsequently put pen to paper on deals to stay at Cherrywood Road.

Striker Magdzinski and giant defender Steinke both turned out for Polish second division club Chojniczanka before moving over to England.

“We’ll see, they are two physical lads who have impressed me and are keen to play,” Day said. “Jacek has been training a lot with Dover so he’s really looking forward to Saturday’s match.”

Day also revealed that a third new face who turned out at St Neots on Saturday, Medi Abalimba, is expected to agree terms to join before the season’s start.

Abalimba, a 20-year-old Congolese centre midfielder, has Football League pedigree with Derby County, Southend United and Oldham and has also trialled at Liverpool and Manchester United.

All three helped Boro to their best pre-season performance of the summer, according to delighted boss Day, and that's thrown up plenty of positives for the trip to Dover, which many believe to be one of the toughest of the Blue Square South season.

“I said I wanted a tough away game to start with and here we are,” Day added. “Everyone will probably expect them to win and win well, but we go there with no fear. All of last season we battled against the odds and we’ll do it again.”

Saturday’s friendly win at Southern League Premier new boys St Neots was secured by a first half brace from Phil Page.