Reece Connolly hit a brace for Boro
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Day hails his four-star Farnborough
By Tim HarrisFebruary 19, 2013
SPENCER DAY heaped praise on free-scoring Farnborough after his team overpowered visitors Hayes & Yeading 4-1 at Cherrywood Road on Saturday.
Two goals from top scorer Reece Connolly and further strikes Josh Huggins and Dan Bennett capped a dominant display from Day's Blue Square South play-off chasers, who now make the tough trip to second-placed Welling United on Tuesday night.
“I thought we pretty much dominated the whole game,” said Day, whose side squandered a host of missed chances in their previous two home matches, yielding just one point.
“There was four goals and we should have had five, six or seven overall.
“I was actually disappointed at the end of the first half, I thought we could have finished it there and then.
“It was a complete schoolboy error that let them back into the game. We were so dominant to start and then suddenly we were back to 1-1.
“In the second half they changed their system but I don't really think they hurt us at all. Overall it was an excellent performance. We played some fantastic football and we have been doing that consistently.”
Farnborough started the game strongly and were ahead inside 10 minutes when right back Huggins beat Hayes goalkeeper Brandon Hall with a fine finish from outside the box.
Just minutes later, however, the visitors were level. Tom Collins was allowed to ghost through the Boro defence, taking the ball round the advancing keeper, Jamie Norris, and slotting the ball into the net.
Despite conceding Farnborough continued to dominate. Local lad Nic Ciardini looked dangerous, turning Hayes' Calum Butcher inside and out, and it was not long before Boro got their reward.
This time, however, it was man-of-the-match Steve Laidler who orchestrated the chance, chipping a glorious pass over to Bennett who took a touch before slotting home – a quite wonderful goal.
Midfield dynamo Laidler could have been on the scoresheet himself shortly afterwards - finding himself through on goal after a neat interchange with Connolly, only for Butcher to make a crucial last-ditch tackle in the box.
Boro fans also had the chance to watch their new Premier League ace Tom Donegan in action for the first time, and the Fulham loanee clocked in a strong shift in the heart of the Boro midfield.
In fact, the 20-year-old ace had the ball in the back of the net after he was played in by Bennett, but the debut goal was not to be, referee Jake Hillier having already blown for an earlier infringement.
But Farnborough were not to be denied and they capped off a commanding first half with a goal just before the break. Connolly latched on to a long free kick from Huggins and the former Aldershot Town front man finished coolly.
It was a different game in the second half, however, as managerless Hayes came out with purpose with half-time substitute Sam Corcoran making a big difference after his introduction.
The away side could have been down to 10 men when skipper Sam Cox brought down Donegan as he charged forward on a counter-attack. Hillier pulled out his yellow card, with Cox's heart in his mouth.
But just when it looked like Hayes could force a tense finale, it was Boro who made the points safe with a fourth goal slightly against the run of play.
Substitute Dave Tarpey, back from illness, found space on the right and squared the ball to Connolly, who easily slotted home for his 13th league goal of the season.
Afterwards, a delighted Day sung the praises of his troops, not least his new loan star Donegan.
“He has a great attitude, he worked really hard," Day said.
"It took him a little bit of time to get into it, but you can see he has got that touch and that natural ability.
“Overall it was a really bright start for him but I thought it was a really good team performance.”
FARNBOROUGH: Norris, Huggins, Treacher, Inman, Inns, Jones (Bosch 70), Bennett, Laidler (Moody 81), Connolly, Donegan, Ciardini (Tarpey 70). Subs: Hammond, Clement.
Ref: Jake Hillier. Att: 519.
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