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Harrow slipped to an unlucky defeat at frozen Gravesend on Tuesday
evening, against the Premier Division's current form side.
After
the disappointment of Evesham this was a stern test for Boro at
a ground where they have never won, but they showed great commitment
and heart on a very difficult playing surface and deserved at
least a draw.
Boro's
promising young defender Adam Everitt was shown a red card after
80 minutes after an exchange of words and apparently gesturing
to a Gravesend player. After two minutes James Robinson in the
Boro goal brought off a fine save from a close range header by
Spiller but Harrow had the better of the early chances.
Marcus
Richardson shrugging off the conditions as well as defenders,
forced a good save from Turner after an interchange with Steve
Barnes, then cut inside Lindsey before shooting into the side
netting. Boro's best chance of the game fell to Dwayne Lewis who
picked up a poor back header by Lindsey but saw his firm shot
kicked away by Turner.
Gravesend
went ahead after 29 minutes. Smith's free kick came back off a
post and with Boro defenders finding it difficult to turn, Craig
Wilkins tucked away the rebound. The home side controlled possession
for the latter part of the half without causing Robinson too many
problems. Harrow equalised in the 49th minute. Derek Payne's free
kick was half cleared to Everitt who planted the ball back into
the penalty area where it fell for Andy Rose to drill a low shot
into the corner.
Gravesend
restored their lead after 67 minutes. Stadhart chased down a long
ball and with defenders again finding it difficult to keep their
feet, he squared for Paul Booth to score. Boro pressed hard for
another equaliser and Mark Xavier was unlucky when after a flick
by Pat Gavin, his fierce cross shot beat Turner but was inches
wide with Ollie Petersen just unable to get a final touch.
Robinson,
who impressed all evening with his confident handling of high
crosses, finished the game with a brave save from Stadhart. Gravesend
has never been a happy hunting ground for Boro but on this occasion
there was nothing wrong with their attitude and had they been
wearing different skates they could well have sneaked a win.
In
a committed team effort, John Hurlock worked hard in midfield
despite the conditions which were not ideal for his dainty footwork.
Whether the game should ever have started is debatable but the
referee would argue that he got it finished and no-one was injured.
Gravesend will not complain. On a final note: when are Fleet going
to provide numbers on their shirts that you can read from 30 yards?!
