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Capital League leaders Harrow Borough reserves gained a convincing
victory in their final Capital League Cup Group 2 match at Earlsmead
Stadium last Wednesday ( March 7 ).
They
now have to wait for the result of Saturday's Croydon v Chesham
fixture to see which team will progress to the knock-out stages,
writes Tony Booth. With three players making their club debuts in
the Boro' starting line up, and three others continuing their comebacks
from injury, it was again a case of a 'development' squad fulfilling
a match at this level, just the function the Capital League was
designed to cater for. Boro' have now beaten Croydon on each of
the three times they have met this season, and Croydon have only
lost four matches altogether!
The
visitors began the match with only ten men on the pitch but they
started positively, several times forcing 'keeper Tom Banger to
make crucial interceptions, a duty he carried out with distinction
throughout the match, arguably being Boro's most valuable player
on the night. Long term injury victims Hunter and Bates were both
in moves that threatened a goal, as Boro' found their feet. Croydon
had a full compliment of players by the 11th minute but fell behind
at that stage, a foul on Dyer being punished by Emond Protain's
free kick which defeated attempts to clear it, Alex LEACOCK driving
in a crisp shot for a clinical finish.
Dyer
should have scored soon after, as should Alleyne but the hosts did
double their lead in the 25th minute, when Marc Walsh sent JB Bates
free on the right and he crossed for Danny ALLEYNE to net his shot
into the centre of the goal. Play swung entertainingly from end
to end, Banger keeping his goal intact, whilst Alleyne and Dyer
shot over. The second half saw Croydon adopt a more committed approach
but Boro' still had the better of most of the half, without being
able to net the third goal that would have finished off the visitors.
Dyer
twice had shots deflected over, Hunter twice headed over from close
range then Wayne Grant saw his shot deflected wide. Croydon had
their chances, especially in a tense final period but Banger, who
made an excellent diving save to keep out the veteran Bowyer's long
range effort, ensured that Boro' would succeed on the night. His
teammates all contributed to a good team effort that bodes well
for the club's back up squad.
Harrow:
Banger; Tomovic, Protain; Leacock ( R. Walsh ), O. Lyons, M.
Walsh; Hunter ( Grant ), Bates, Alleyne, Polion ( Parratt ), Dyer;
other sub. Margerrison.
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