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A
match that they should have won, could have lost and ended up drawing,
had virtually everything in it, except a sense of discipline, writes
Tony Booth.
With
both clubs facing F A Cup ties in three days time, injuries were
the last thing either wanted to contend with, but the officials
seemed content to let it all hang loose in this Capital League President's
Cup group match, at The Meadow last Wednesday. CLARK chested Chesham
ahead in the 7th minute, before Shane SMALL-KING smacked home a
10th minute drive from well outside the penalty area, to equalise.
As
Chesham's Gorman treated everything to aggressive treatment, the
ball, which he regularly dispatched out of the ground, and any Boro'
players withing kicking distance. Not resorting to this low level
tactic, Boro' concentrated on playing football and deservedly went
ahead in the 26th minute, with Aaron ARCHER netting after crosses
by Petersen and Small-King.
Though
Braathen was kept busy and once had his 'bar to thank, the visitors
moved two up in the 42nd minute, when WILLIAMS drilled the ball
in after the 'keeper dropped a Silkman free kick. Chesham's first
teamers were stung into action by a few harsh words from former
Boro' boss Peter Lawrence that delayed the second half restart.
SIMPSON netted a header to reduce the Boro' lead in the 63rd minute
and the hosts drew level three minutes later, NABIL taking advantage
of a defensive error.
Things
then seriously took a downturn - not least in the control of the
game stakes.Suffice to describe one incident, in the 76th minute.
Dyer's tackle on Nabil resulted in the ball going out of play, only
to rebound onto the pitch. Chesham then forced a 'corner', with
the relevant assistant referee flagging for a Harrow throw in. The
referee acknowledges the signal and proceeds with his decision to
award a corner to Chesham. Confused? You should be! Some inspired
goalkeeping by Braathen contributed to Harrow holding on to a point
in spite of fierce pressure, with Tomovic's header and Silkman's
bravery in the face of injury also playing their part. Both teams
now play Croydon, the other team in their group, to decide who proceeds
to the knockout stage.
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