Farnborough were able to bounce back from the defeat at Truro City with a fantastic 3-1 victory over Hampton & Richmond Borough, writes Rhys Cornwell.

A brace from Alfie Pavey and a fantastic strike from Ricky Holmes gave Boro a 3-0 lead, before a late own goal from Ollie Robinson gave Hampton & Richmond Borough a consolation goal.

The game was played at a very impressive pace from the outset and both sides started off with good chances at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium.

The visitors started quicker of the two sides. Connor Kurran-Browne was a bright spark for The Beavers early and he won two free kicks in dangerous areas. However, both free kick attempts were dealt with by the Farnborough defence.

The first goal of the game came in the 18^th minute. Holmes again went on a dangerous run down the left, he fed the ball into the overlapping Jordan Norville-Williams who’s cut back fell short of Selim Saied. Saied didn’t give up though and won the ball back and was subsequently tripped up in the box leading to a penalty. Alfie Pavey stepped up to take the spot kick and dispatched it with ease. Adam Desbois in the Hampton & Richmond Borough goal went the right way but couldn’t get his hands on the strike.

Mel Gwinnett’s men responded well to the set back and had two chances in quick succession. The first was a corner coming in from captain Jake Gray who found the head of Luis Fernandez who directed his header towards goal, but Jack Turner was able to reach the shot and claw it away for another corner. Gray put another fantastic ball towards Cheadle who glanced his header wide of the target.

The first half ended in controversy. Alfy Whittingham was able to run clear of Norville-Williams who pushed him in the back right on the edge of the box. The Referee called the foul as a penalty to the dismay of the home support. However, the Linesman overturned the decision, saying the foul took place outside the box and ensuring that Boro went into half-time with the lead.

HALF-TIME: Farnborough 1 Hampton & Richmond Borough 0

Farnborough couldn’t have gotten off to a better start in the second half. Straight from kick off the ball found its way to Norville-Williams on the left-hand side, and he swung in a cross towards Alfie Pavey who headed home to double The Yellows advantage.

This time, Boro did not give The Beavers a chance to respond, and it wasn’t long before they had another chance. Norville-Williams played in a delightful cross towards Reggie Young, who came on for Cullen at half-time. Young crossed the ball back in which ended up back at the feet of Norville-Williams who laid it off to Davis who’s shot rifled over the bar.

Just a minute later, Alfie Pavey nearly completed his hat-trick. Holmes on the left-hand side crossed in a ball towards the back post where Alfie Pavey acrobatically met the delivery, but his shot flashed across goal and was cleared by the Hampton & Richmond Borough defence.

The visitors’ first chance of the half came in the 70^th minute. A corner came in from Dunne and was met by unmarked substitute Ben Seymour who headed towards goal, but Jack Turner once again was equal to it.

Hampton & Richmond Borough were not able to capitalise on this however and just a minute later, Ricky Holmes added a third for Boro. Saied beat his man and cut the ball back to Holmes. The ball got caught under Holmes’ feet, but he was able to shift the ball onto his left foot and curl past Desbois from outside the box. A goal his performance deserved.

Farnborough were unable to keep a clean sheet unfortunately and in the 89^th minute, The Beavers got a consolation goal. Wishart took a shot at goal from outside the box and Ollie Robinson tried to clear but got his timing wrong and the ball ricocheted into the Boro goal.

The Yellows were able to see the game out from that point onwards and picked up all three points after a dominant second half.

FULL-TIME: Farnborough 3 Hampton & Richmond Borough 1

Att: 783