Farnborough FC

An upset Spencer Day
advertisement

Day in a fury as Farnborough are hit for six

By Jon Couch
March 21, 2013

SPENCER DAY lambasted his side’s “suicidal defending” as Farnborough were hit for six or more for the third time this season in a powder-puff display at the Melbourne Stadium on Monday night.

Five of Chelmsford’s six goals were carbon-copy headers – four from the exact same corner routine – as Day’s bamboozled troops failed to deal with the aerial bombardment of the home side under the glare of the athletics track floodlights.

It was a disappointing end to an otherwise defining week for Boro, who recorded their second straight 1-0 away success at Sutton United just 48 hours previous.

But although furious with the manner of the defeat, boss Day insisted he had been happy with the form of his side over a four-game away sequence.

“We knew this away-game run was outrageously difficult and we’ve won two and lost two and if you’d have said that at the start of this away run I would have bitten your hand off,” Day said afterwards.

“But it doesn't take away the disappointment of tonight. We’ve conceded five headed goals from five yards out, all unmarked. It was suicidal defending, we just couldn't deal with them in the air. It was men against boys.”

On the two previous occasions that Boro have conceded six goals or more (Woking 7-0 and Basingstoke 6-2), Boro have gone on to win the next game.

But Day knows that Saturday’s Blue Square South visitors to Cherrywood Road, Billericay Town, who beat them 2-1 in the reverse fixture just a fortnight ago, pose a similar threat aerially and will look to take full advantage of any defensive uncertainty.

But he insisted Monday night’s demolition might have had a completely different outcome had Richard Peniket gone down under Jack Ainsley’s challenge from behind when clean through on goal after 11 minutes.

Day claimed referee Adam Crysell later told him that he would have sent Ainsley off and awarded a penalty had Peniket gone down.

As it was, his off-balance shot was well saved by Stuart Searle, before Dan Bennett's follow-up effort was blocked.

“I’m not suggesting it’s an excuse for our defending, which was non-existent, but it is a key moment in the game, he's clean through, he’s got to score,” Day said.

From there it went from bad to worse. Justin Miller put the ruthless Clarets in front just three minutes later with a powerful header from David Bridges’ corner before Aiden Palmer centred from the same left flank for Michael Bakare to rise unchallenged and make it 2-0.

Seven minutes later, Bridges’ corner found Kenny Clark at the back post for 3-0.

Bennett blazed over when he should have pulled a goal back for Boro, and the visitors were further punished with another three-goal burst in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.

Rob Edmans headed number four from Bridges’ cross, Bakare looped home number five before Bridges lashed home the only goal with the boot after the otherwise outstanding Ross Worner kept out Bakare’s effort.

Nic Ciardini later hit the inside of the post for Boro but it only papered over the cracks of a wretched defensive display.

It was quite the opposite, however, on Saturday when Boro held firm to protect Dave Tarpey’s quite brilliant second-half strike that proved enough to beat Sutton United at Gander Green Lane.

Tarpey struck eight minutes into the restart after collecting the ball from the right and volleying sweetly into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Once again though Boro had keeper Worner to thank after he pulled off a string of fine saves to deny Sutton’s Sam Rents, Craig Dundas and Dean Sinclair.

Day admitted he failed in attempts to ease his defensive concerns this week when a bid to re-sign Aldershot Town defender Doug Bergqvist for a third loan spell was thwarted by red tape.

Rules state that no player can turn out for any more than three clubs in one season – the Swede having already played for the Shots, Basingstoke and Staines Town this term.

He has now gone back to Staines for a second spell, but Day has not ruled out the prospect of bringing in a new arrival to freshen things up for the visit of Billericay.

| Submit Comments