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There
seems to be little prospect of 'meaningless, end of season, mid
table' fixtures on Harrow Borough's horizon, as the Earlsmead side
contrived to concede a Premier Division double to fellow strugglers
Maidenhead on Tuesday night. In doing so, Boro' continued their
dismal league form that has seen league victories become a thing
of the distant past, as they slipped yet another place down the
table.
Two
more new signings were brought into the home squad, with defender
Chris Hislop joining from financially hamstrung Southern League
side Baldock and forward Paul Scott arriving from Whyteleafe. Harrow
also changed captaincy again, with Pat Gavin taking over that role.
After seeing their 'keeper fumble and drop a first minute cross
that was scrambled clear, Maidenhead spent the early part of the
game lofting a series of matchballs high and wide of the pitch,
into the adjoining gardens. They had set their stall out not to
lose, that was clear.
What
was in question was whether Harrow could break down their opponents'
blanket defence. In a dire first half that did little credit to
either team, Carl Levene's crosses caused problems for the visitors,
who relied on rare breakaways to alter the pattern of unsuccessful
attacks and tedious defence. From Levene crosses, Hurlock all but
netted a shot and Gavin headed wide. Gavin also missed the target
from a Bates free kick, whilst Payne's shot was blocked after Valenti
crossed. At the other end, Hook had to be quick off the mark to
grab a loose ball, and good tackles by Hislop, Walsh and Rose kept
Boro's goal intact. Whatever was said at half time in the two dressing
rooms, Maidenhead's players seem to have listened better. Within
three minutes of the restart, they had moved two goals ahead!
First,
Woodhouse's free kick was met with a free header by COOK at the
far post, then TYSON raced clear from halfway, evading Walsh and
Hook before netting into an open goal. Scott was brought on as Boro'
switched to 4-3-3 but a glaring gap in their line up ( which I won't
expand upon ) was still evident to all on the sidelines ( to those
of you who were at the game - wasn't it? ) and though Harrow had
the better of the rest of the game, with Maidenhead deciding to
sit back and ride out the pressure, the composition of the team
was lopsided, with the predictable end result. From Valenti's cross,
Scott got a good flick at the near post, only for Barnard to dive
and push the ball wide. Payne's overhead kick was saved, then he
and Valenti shot over from close range. Cooper had a long range
shot held and Gavin headed wide from much closer, before Boro' halved
the deficit in the 81st minute. Hislop laid the ball inside and
Andy ROSE curled a neat 20 yarder into the near post top corner.
Though
Harrow forced the visitors to defend for the rest of the game, the
nearest they came to an equaliser was in the second minute of stoppage
time. Valenti's cross found Rose in front of goal, but Barnard dived
to parry his shot and Cooper blazed the rebound over. Now it's on
to Saturday's visit of bottom side Dulwich - can Boro' earn three
points from this?
Harrow:
Hook; Rose, Hislop; Hurlock, J. Lyons, M. Walsh; Payne, Bates (Cooper),
Gavin, Valenti, Levene (Scott); other sub. Everitt.
Maidenhead:
Barnard; Woodhouse (Beaton), Craker; Rake, Croxford, Hickey; Cook,
Ferdinand, Tyson (Wiltshire), Glynn, Morley; other sub. Creighton.
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