| Harrow’s
survival hopes in the coming
season will rely on players
showing character, and a reduction
in the individual errors that
blighted the last two campaigns.
There was plenty of character
in evidence on a hot afternoon
in Essex, but one mistake meant
that they returned home pointless.
Missing the suspended Keita
Karamoko and Richard Clarke,
Harrow drafted in veteran Andy
Pape in goal while Perry Norman
came in at centre back.
Phil Gridelet’s early
run for Harrow into the heart
of the Billericay defence foundered
due to lack of support, while
at the other end Mark Graham
cut inside and shot over the
bar. Andy Pape was called into
action when Godfrey Torto lost
the ball and allowed a home
attacker a sight of goal.
The only goal of the game came
in the 20th minute. Daniel Dyer
allowed a cross from the Billericay
left, but there didn’t
seem any danger as Perry Norman
shaped to clear. But he missed
the ball altogether and Fewings
was on hand to ram home the
ball.
Harrow enjoyed a good spell
around the half-hour. Billericay’s
Williams nearly headed a Dyer
corner past his own keeper,
John reacting quickly, and then
Adam Everitt missed Harrow’s
best chance of the match, heading
Dyer’s cross over from
inside the six-yard box. Davis
Haule then put a great pass
through to Richard Goddard,
but the big striker didn’t
shape to hit the ball properly
and the chance was gone. On
the stroke of half-time, Williams
connected with a header at the
right end of the pitch, and
Pape saved well.
The home side started the second
half strongly. Fewings turned
sharply and shot wide, before
beating Norman to the ball and
shooting over. Forrester then
headed over the bar, and Pape
turned a Fewings shot round
the post. Fabio Valenti replaced
Torto and Harrow began to put
some moves together. John Lawford
had a shot blocked and Haule’s
cross was saved by John.
Pape then made a fine save,
tipping a shot up in the air
and reacting to stop the ball
spinning over the line. Valenti’s
shot was then blocked at the
other end. Into stoppage time,
with Borough committed to searching
for an equaliser, there was
a lucky escape when Wallace
stole in at the far post but
saw his effort rebound off the
upright.
Next up for Harrow are two
home games where they will look
to take some of the better features
of this display into improved
performances at Earlsmead, where
they struggled for much of last
season. |
