|
It
was a night of happy omens for Harrow Borough at Marston Road on
Wednesday. Returning to Stafford Rangers' ground for the first time
in 17 years, Boro' again won by two goals, this time in an F A Cup
3rd qualifying round replay.
Not
only that, but after winning at Stafford on their last visit, all
those years ago, Barrow being their opponents that time, the Earlsmead
team were drawn at home to Enfield in the next round, a match the
Harrow side went on to win 5-1. Who are Boro' drawn at home to in
the next round of the FA Cup? Enfield!
A
goal down at the interval in this week's game, Harrow recovered
quickly after the restart, going ahead through an own goal and a
penalty, before a finely struck third goal finally finished off
their plucky opponents, whose first ever F A Cup campaign was thus
ended.. Both teams were unchanged from their starting line up last
Saturday, whilst the Stafford pitch was sodden by afternoon rain
showers. With a home tie in the next round awaiting the winners,
play swung from end to end.
Stafford
won a first minute corner, but it was Harrow that had the early
chances to net, Xavier shooting and heading wide, Nwaokolo shooting
off target and Pat Gavin again being thwarted by Saturday's hero,
Stafford 'keeper Plant, who palmed away a fierce header from a Rose
cross. The hosts responded in kind, Campbell forcing Hook to push
a shot wide, then spooning a shot over the 'bar, before the Town
took a 16 minute lead.
Player-manager
Somerville's corner was netted by a close range header from STARK
- not a good goal to concede. Both sides then lost half of their
strike force, Stark and Xavier going off injured. Whilst this hampered
both teams, the chances continued to develop at each end. Long range
efforts from Rose, Gavin and Roberts were just wide, whilst Gavin
and McCormack forced good saves from Plant. At the other end, Campbell
curled a shot over Hook's goal.
In
the first minute of the second half, the hosts had a great chance
to double their lead. Walters sent a long ball over the Boro' back
four, leaving Gomersall on his own in the visitors' half. However,
faced with the onrushing Hook, the homester steered his shot way
off target and the chance was gone. Staring a humbling defeat in
the face, Boro' came out with all guns blazing, switching the ball
upfield quickly.
Otis
Roberts sent over an inviting cross in the 48th minute and, under
pressure from Gavin at the far post, indecision between Plant and
WALTERS saw the latter poke the ball past his own 'keeper. Three
minutes later, an inexplicable lapse by the Stafford player-manager
saw him haul Lyons off the ball in the penalty area and referee
Mellor pointed to the spot. John HURLOCK, who made a mighty impression
in midfield, confidently netted from 12 yards to put Boro' ahead.
The
game was far from won, however. Dematteo created a fine chance for
himself, only to drive his shot narrowly over, Campbell had two
efforts held by Hook and Anthony sent a sliding shot just past a
post. Boro' contributed fully to a 'real' cup tie atmosphere, with
Nwaokolo's shot forcing a tumbling save, Roberts and McCormack,
twice, firing long range efforts just off target.
Going
into the final minute, Kelechi Duru set off on a run down his wing
and, choosing not to pass to the nearby Petersen, Otis ROBERTS manoeuvred
himself into a good position before firing a fierce 12 yard drive
past Plant to finally clinch the result. In the post match socialising
that marked a happy couple of games with sporting opponents, the
Mayor of Stafford Borough spoke eloquently of Boro's performance,
whilst praising the efforts of his home town team.
Harrow:
Hook; Rose, Nwaokolo; Lewis, Cooper, Lyons; Roberts, Hurlock, Gavin,
Xavier ( 12 Gusavac 28 ) ( 15 Petersen 83 ), McCormack ( 16 Duru
88 ); other subs: 14 Protain, 17 Braathen.
Stafford:
Plant; Gomersall, Anthony; Carter, walters, Somerville; Dunne (
12 Tilston 72 ), Campbell ( 16 Fisher 82 ), Stark ( 14 James 27
), Dematteo, Curtis; other subs: 15 Skelton, 17 Edensor.
|
