Farnborough FC

Reece Connolly struck a brace
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Day hails Farnborough's six-y football

By Jon Couch
October 04, 2012

Farnborough 6-2 Eastleigh

“WE want seven” is not a chant that the long-suffering Farnborough faithful have been used to bellowing in recent times, so it’s fair to say those dulcet tones from the terraces which raised more than the odd ironic smile at Cherrywood Road on Tuesday night, were well worth the wait.

Big spending Eastleigh, many people’s favourites for the title and unbeaten under new manager Richard Hill, were simply blown away by Spencer Day’s Boro, who treated those loyal 300 or so who braved the wind and rain to a six-goal feast not seen in these parts since March 2010.

The McDonalds electric scoreboard went into overdrive as brilliant Boro piled on Spitfires’ misery with a blistering three-goal spell in four wonderful minutes – even causing the machine to give up the ghost before Eastleigh could add a consolation at the death.

On-loan striker Reece Connolly helped himself to two goals in an impressive home debut in his second spell at the club, while support acts Dan Bennett, Nic Ciardini and sub Josh Huggins also chipped in with Eastleigh’s Mitchell Nelson completing the rout with an own goal for number six.

Typically, the cool figure of Day remained grounded in the dug-out and he even berated his defence for the goals conceded, from Moses Ademola with the score at 2-0 and substitute Jai Reason two minutes from time.

But, rightly, he also lavished well-deserved praise, while relaying a message to those stay-away fans for missing out on a Cherrywood Road night to remember.

“This win, more than anything, was not only for the fans that were here but those who weren’t,” Day said. “We are in a very difficult situation at this club and those who said we can’t play football and entertain, well, you missed out tonight.

“I wouldn't say it’s been coming but we have been improving and I knew that once we got players back from injury and got the right people together we could put on a performance.

“I remember [Boreham Wood manager] Ian Allison telling me that one day we would spank someone but I’d be lying if I thought we could hit Eastleigh for six tonight.

“We were outstanding from start to finish, but we won't be getting too excited. We will enjoy it, sure, but one win does not make a season and we have to build on it.”

Looking to exact revenge for their FA Cup exit ten days’ previous, Boro went at their visitors from the off and soon found the stride.

Connolly flicked a header on for Bennett to race away and tuck away a fifth-minute opener before Ciardini doubled the advantage on 21 minutes with a fierce 20-yard free-kick.

Ademola halved the arrears when beating the offside trap and rounded Craig Bradshaw, but back came Boro with Connolly restoring the two-goal advantage five minutes later after fellow home debutant Reece Jones – so impressive in centre midfield since joining from Sutton United – had combined well with Bennett.

Eastleigh started the second half with purpose but they were soon swept away by three goals in a remarkable four-minute period. Olly Treacher brilliantly put Connolly through for his second and Boro’s fourth on 61 minutes before Huggins bent a shot inside the far post for number five seconds later. And it was six soon after when Nelson attempted to cut out Bennett’s squared ball to Connolly.

Dave Tarpey came close to giving the home fans their wish of a seventh with an effort across goal before Reason finally gave the visiting fans something to cheer with a late consolation.

Victory lifts Boro up to 13th in the table – this also following Saturday’s battling 1-1 draw at AFC Hornchurch.

Lewis Smith put the Urchins in front from the penalty spot on seven minutes after Michael Spencer's cross was handled by Alfredo Bosch, but Tarpey levelled two minutes later after his shot squirmed under the body of keeper Joe Woolley.

Hero of the hour, however, was Bradshaw, who pulled off a series of fine saves to earn Boro a point, notably, from Smith, James Love and Frankie Curley.

After a positive week, it’s a shame that Farnborough are without a game this Saturday owing to their FA Cup exit, while talks to bring forward one of the Havant & Waterlooville matches broke down.

BORO: Bradshaw, Bosch, Treacher, Inman, Inns, Jones, Bennett, Laidler (Moody 76), Connolly, Tarpey (Day 81), Ciardini (Huggins 46). Subs: Smith, Norris. Att: 302.

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