Though
they have only won one Premier Division match out of the last
fifteen (!), Harrow battled bravely against the odds, when visiting
The Meadow last Saturday, where Chesham are unbeaten in league
games for the past four months. Despite their fully deserving
at least the point they achieved from this match, Boro' slipped
a place in the table, to 18th, and now go into a crucial week,
where they play host to two sides below them, Maidenhead and Dulwich,
who really must be kept at arms length.
|
| Jon
Barrie Bates - welcome return to the side |
Manager
Eddie Stein made four changes to his starting line-up, after the
midweek defeat at Aldershot. Out went Lewis, former skipper Cooper,
Fontenelle and James - in came Adam Everitt ( making a name for
himself at Luton Town ), Marc Walsh and Jon Barrie Bates ( recovered
from injury ) and Pat Gavin ( recovered from illness ). Former
Chesham players Hook and Hurlock faced former Boro' men Jason
Court, David Clarke and Kelechi Duru as the teams were announced.
|
|
John
Hurlock scores for Harrow
|
In
the first minute, Chesham created one of their only two chances
in the first half, Walsh clearing Cooksey's header off the line,
Hall blazing wide from a rebound. For the remainder of the first
period, Boro' took the game to the hosts and neatly went ahead
in the eighth minute. Valenti and Levene worked a short corner,
Joe Lyons headed down and skipper John HURLOCK steered a 12 yard
shot wide of Preddie into the far corner of the net. The pitch
had a beach like appearance at the kick off and was soon resembling
a ploughed field, causing Boro's close passing game to be altered,
to adapt to the conditions.
A
fine piece of skill by Valenti saw him chip the ball over Hall
before crossing for Hurlock, who couldn't keep his shot down,
possibly as a result of the ball hitting one of the many divots
- or a molehill ! In the next minute, Valenti's shot was only
kept out by the 'keeper's legs, the Boro' striker's pace causing
Chesham all sorts of problems throughout the match. How he has
only ever played at so much lower levels than Boro' before almost
beggars belief. 'Nutmegs', runs after seemingly lost causes, a
willingness to expend effort on behalf of the team - all praiseworthy
on Valenti's part.
|
|
Fabio
Valenti - worked hard in attack for Harrow
|
Though
Campbell nearly steered in a cross to level the scores, Chesham
were unable to make any real progress against tenacious play from
the visitors. Keen tackling by Levene, Everitt and Payne were
amongst notable instances of Boro's determination to gain something
from this match - with Chesham in 8th place in the table, gaining
a point here would be some achievement. As the half ended, it
looked like former Boro' management duo Dowie and Lawrence were
the only people on the home bench that wanted to beat Harrow -
some choice words in the dressing room were clearly in prospect.
They certainly had some effect, for Chesham went on to have the
better of the second half.
Valenti
and Rose had shooting chances to add to Boro's lead but a crucial
second goal wouldn't come. Recent substitutions have not necessarily
had the desired effect and so it came about that within a minute
of Cooper replacing Levene, Chesham netted a fortuitous 69 minute
leveller. Referee Head contentiously awarded the hosts a corner,
the ball seeming to go out off home striker Bowes, and when BROWN
swung the kick across goal, its low trajectory was sufficiently
confusing for it to swerve directly inside the far post.
|
|
Pat
Gavin in an aerial battle
|
Good
tackling by Everitt and Walsh continued to highlight Boro's defensive
work, whilst Valenti was twice denied at the other end, the second
time home 'keeper Preddie injuring himself in the process. Former
Boro' favourite Court took over in goal but was not tested in
the time remaining. An interesting sideline to this was when the
ball was returned into play, by a drop ball, Boro' returned the
ball to Chesham. ( Last September, those present at Earlsmead
will recall Chesham's gamesmanship when doing exactly the opposite
- one of their players chasing after a lofted long ball from a
drop ball situation, a subsequent tackle resulting in Harrow's
Mark Cooper being sent off.) In the very last seconds, a diving
save by David Hook kept out Cooksey's volley, enabling Boro' to
hold on to what could be a vital point. Only time will tell.
Harrow:
Hook; Rose, Everitt; Hurlock, J. Lyons, M. Walsh; Payne, Bates,
Gavin, Valenti, Levene ( Cooper ); other subs. Alleyne and Turnbull.
Chesham:
Preddie ( Kersey ); Statham, Fox; Court, Hall, Cooksey; Brown,
Campbell, Bowes, Watson, Clarke ( Duru ); other sub. Renner.
