United are back at Plainmoor for the first of back to back home games tomorrow night, as they face Farnborough.
Gary Johnson’s side will be looking to get back to winning ways tomorrow, however they will face a tough test in the form of Farnborough, who sit one place and one point behind them.
Who’s the boss?
Spencer Day took charge at Farnborough in November 2011 and in his time at the club has led them to two promotions, that being in 2016/17 when he guided the club to the Southern League Premier Division through the Play-Offs, and then again in the 2021/22 season as the Boro gained promotion to the National League South, where they won the Southern Premier Division South Play Offs, after defeating Hayes & Yeading United 2-1 in the Final. Day guided the Hampshire side to a mid-table 12th place finish on their first season back in Tier Six.
Player to watch
Alfie Pavey is Farnborough’s current top scorer with six goals to his name already this season, and joined the club in the summer after his release from Braintree Town. Pavey came through the youth ranks at Maidstone United, before moving to Millwall in 2013 on a two year academy scholarship. While at the New Den, Pavey found himself taking in loan spells at Barnet, Aldershot Town, Bromley, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Dartford, and despite joining Welling upon his release from Millwall in 2017, the striker played just two games before signing for Dartford in a second spell following his loan a few months earlier.
The 2017/18 season proved to be his best to date as in 38 games he scored 22 goals, before finding himself at Havant & Waterlooville and then his first spell at Dover Athletic. A return to Barnet and then Maidstone followed, before a loan spell back at Dover led to a permanent move for the 2022/23 season, however in February of this year he was transferred to Braintree before arriving at Cherrywood Road.
How have they been doing?
Following a 12th place finish in the National League South last season, Farnborough began this campaign with a 1-0 defeat in Essex at the hands of Chelmsford City, though the two following home games saw them draw 1-1 with Eastbourne Borough before gaining there first win of the season as they beat Hemel Hempstead Town 2-1.
A 1-1 draw at Dartford was followed by a comprehensive 3-0 win at home to Weston-Super-Mare, but last Monday’s trip to Truro saw the Boro lose for the first time since the opening day, as they slipped to 1 3-1 defeat. Wi9nning ways were regained last Saturday with a 3-1 win over Hampton & Richmond Borough, meaning they come into tonight’s game in 8th place and on 11 points, after their opening seven games.
Played for both
Rene Howe began his career at Bedford Town scoring over 30 goals in over 80 appearances, before moving to Kettering where upon scoring 25 goals in a season he was snapped up by Peterborough United. While at the Posh in a four year stay, Howe found himself loaned out to Rochdale, Morecombe, Lincoln City, Gillingham, Rushden & Diamonds and Bristol Rovers as he found chances limited at London Road.
He was released by Peterborough in 2011, where upon he headed South West and to Plainmoor, and he became a firm crowd favourite, scoring 28 goals in 81 league games in a two year stay here at the English Riviera. Burton, Newport and a return to Kettering for a three year stay followed, before his first spell at Kings Langley in 2018.
Subsequent spells at Walton Casuals, Farnborough, Bedford Town for a second spell, Ware and then a third spell at Bedford last season, all came before his return to Kings Langley for the 2023/24 season.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 1-1 Farnborough | FA Cup Second Round | Saturday 6th December 1991
The two teams last met in the FA Cup during the 1991/92 season. United had previously overcome – then second in Division Three – Birmingham City, defying their fifth from bottom league position with a 3-0 victory, thanks to a brace from Paul Hall and a Mark Loram goal. It was in the Second Round that United drew GM Vauxhall Conference side Farnborough Town. In the Second Round fixture at Plainmoor, it was the visitors who opened the scoring, with an early strike by top scorer Simon Read putting Farnborough ahead.
Just when it looked as if United were about to bow out of the competition, the side found a leveller with just minutes left on the clock. In the 87th minute Mark Loram struck from outside the box, with his curling effort finding the back of the net to make it 1-1. With the game finishing 1-1, it would take a replay at Farnborough to decide who progressed into the Third Round and a meeting with West Ham United, though it would be Farnborough and not United following the Hampshire sides 4-3 replay victory ten days later.
Tickets for tomorrow’s match are available HERE, whilst full live commentary will be available via TUFC Radio HERE.