Two-goal Dan Bennett was named man of the match
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Five-star Farnborough make statement of intent
By Tim HarrisJanuary 15, 2013
SPENCER DAY heaped praise on his five-star Farnborough after watching his team cruise to their first win of the new year - and in some style.
Day's Boro simply took third-place Dover to the sword at a wintery Cherrywood Road, smashing five unanswered goals in a blistering opening half with Dan Bennett and Reece Connolly both grabbing braces and Dave Tarpey completing the rout.
Dover launched something of a comeback in the second period, substitute Billy Bricknell scoring twice, but Farnborough remained in control and collected all three points in style.
“We were totally dominant,” beamed Boro boss Day. “We overpowered them, we played some fantastic football. It was great to score five against Dover and we could have scored 10 easily.
“It was a fantastic achievement, we outworked them – I thought we wanted it more. Ultimately we have played the much better football.
“I thought we passed the ball very well, we tore them apart in the first half. They got two quick goals in the second half which was disappointing, but it can happen, they have got a highly-talented squad at Dover.
“I thought generally throughout the whole game we were the better team, I do not think it was a game of two halves. We did everything but score in the second half.
“We did not beat one of the top sides, we dismantled them.”
Farnborough struck early in the game when Dover failed to properly clear a long free kick, taken by goalkeeper Craig Bradshaw on the halfway line. The ball fell to Bennett, who turned well and slotted the ball home.
Man of the match Bennett was on the scoresheet again less than five minutes later, when Steve Laidler played a square ball across for the winger.
He allowed the ball to roll across his body for him to beat Whites stopper Mitch Walker for the second time.
Dover were rattled and never really settled in the first half. Returning defender Dean Inman ensured the visitors barely had a sniff of the Boro goal.
Debutant Scott Donnelly also made an impressive account of himself, the new signing supporting the frontmen well from midfield.
Farnborough continued to pile pressure on the Whites and goal number three arrived through Tarpey, after Connolly supplied him on the left.
The frontman shot low across goal, and his effort took a touch off the post before it bounced into the Dover net.
It got even worse for the away team when Boro were awarded a penalty shortly after, Dover's Lloyd Harrington deemed to have handled in the box.
Connolly stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, sending Walker the wrong way.
Bennett had chances to complete his hat-trick as the half matured, testing the palms of Walker and also sending a looping effort over the bar.
Farnborough did make it five a few minutes before half time. Skipper Alan Inns charged forward from the back, and when he lifted the ball through to Connolly, the highly-rated Boro man successfully chipped the ball over Walker to put his siden in dreamland.
The Whites were a different team after the break, and grabbed a goal back on the hour mark through super-sub Bricknell.
Barry Cogan played the ball square from the right side, and Bricknell was able to guide the ball past a helpless Bradshaw.
Bradshaw then spilled a Ricky Modeste cross and Bricknell was on hand for the simplest of tap-ins for his, and Dover's, second.
The second half was real end-to-end football, and both Bricknell and Connelly could have collected their hat-tricks - Bricknell denied by the post and Connelly kept out by Walker.
“It is a fantastic result for us,” Day added. “I am really pleased for the fans, it has been a tough start to the new year.
“I am going to give the credit to my lads. I am ecstatic about where we are as a team and a football club.”
FARNBOROUGH: Bradshaw, Huggins, Treacher, Inman, Inns, Donnelly, Bennett, Laidler, Connolly (Bosch 81), Tarpey (Jones 67), Ciardini (Moody 70). Subs: Hammond, Abalimba, Norris.
Ref: Richard Hulme. Att: 541.
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