Grays
1 Harrow Borough 1
In
a classic example of a game that they should have won, could have
lost and ended up drawing, Harrow came away with a point from
the Recreation Ground, Grays, on Saturday, writes Tony Booth.
For
this Ryman League Prmier Division match, Boro' were not only without
broken bone victims Bates and Hunter, but added to the injury
list were Xavier, Marvin Walker and James, forcing manager Eddie
Stein into further team changes. Skipper Mark Cooper returned
to the visitors' line up. The first half was dominated by Harrow,
who spent so much time in the Grays half that you began to fel
sorry for the hosts.
However,
the Essex side employed a blanket defence to good effect, blocking
shots and intercepting passes to such an extent that they only
went in one down at the interval. McCormack's shot was grabbed
on the line at the second attempt, Gavin saw his volley tipped
wide and Hurlock shot just over, before Boro' took a 21 minute
lead. Hasan Oktay's cross fell to Pat GAVIN at the far post and
he volleyed a 12 yard shot across goal and into the net.
With
McCormack's attempted chip shot being the nearest Boro' came to
netting again, it was a sore blow when Gavin had to be replaced
after sustaining an injury in a tackle. His aerial supremacy was
to be missed. Able only to get better, Grays did this in trumps.Storming
forward for most of the first part of the second half, they drew
level after 54 minutes, when Hazle's cross was allowed to drift
beyond the far post, where RISLEY had stolen upfield to volley
home.
A
fine save from David Hok and a goalline clearance by Andy Rose
kept Boro' afloat in the next few minutes. Sub Vladimir Gusavac
twice went close to regaining the lead for Harrow, seeing one
shot deflected wide before an excellent run and cross by Shane
Small-King allowed Gusavac a near post volley, which Hart did
well to dive and push wide.
At
the other end, Hook again came to his side's rescue, turning aside
two goalbound eforts, whilst ASmall-King, Roberts and Newby had
chances to secure the victory Boro's early dominance had merited,
only for profligacy in front of goal to deny them a two point
bonus.
Grays:
Hart; Risley, Taylor; Dickinson, Nesling ( D. Snowsill 83 ), L.
Snowsill ( Mosely 81 ); Blaney, R. Hazle, D. Hazle ( Reilly ),
Wright, Hayzleden.
Harrow:
Hook; Rose, Lyons; Newby, Cooper, Nwaokolo; Roberts ( Lund ),
Hurlock, Gavin ( Small-King ), Oktay ( Gusavac ), McCormack.
