So
endeth Harrow Borough's run in this season's F A Cup. A 0-3 defeat
away to the team positioned sixth in the Football League Division
Two was no great surprise, in fact it was the least Wycombe expected
of themselves, given their full time professional status and a
placing three divisions above Boro' in the football 'pyramid',
writes Tony Booth.
This
was only the second time Harrow had reached the First Round Proper
of the F A Cup and they performed to the best of their ability,
letting nobody down and having gained much publicity, on both
regional television and national newspapers. Boro' brought more
than twice as many supporters as Wycombe's most recent Football
League visitors, and they certainly made themselves heard throughout
the game. The slightly disappointing attendance, totalling 2681
in all, appeared to be reduced from the average by many of Wycombe's
season ticket holders being unhappy at having to pay entrance
money to see an F A Cup tie!
But
let nothing detract from one of the proudest days in Harrow Borough's
history, as they refused to give up in the face of superior opposition,
who won courtesy of two goals from a defender and a penalty. Harrow
fielded all but two of their regular line up, with new signing
Derek Payne and Nikolaj Lund replacing McCormack and Hurlock in
midfield. The hosts began strongly, on a surface where the ball
sped along, assisted by the rain that fell just before kick off
and during the game.
Boro'
'keeper David Hook had done well to punch clear Ryan's shot but,
in the seventh minute, when Hook again chose to punch clear, this
time from Simpson's free kick, Wycombe's Jamie BATES drove the
ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the box. Boro'
were inspired to take the game to the home team, with their five
man midfield moving upfield to support striker Pat Gavin. In swift
succession, Andy Rose saw his shot punched wide by the diving
Taylor, Otis Roberts had a free kick deflected wide and, from
his resultant corner, Mark Xavier drilled a shot just past a post.
Having
weathered this storm, Wycombe responded - with Hook and Lyons
having to work hard to clear from Thompson. Against the run of
play, Wycombe doubled their lead in the 27th minute. Harkin's
clever backheel sent Rammell free in the box and, when Oliver
Lyons was adjudged to have fouled him, SIMPSON was given the chance
to successfully net from the penalty spot.
Harrow
made a double defensive switch, when they brought on Emond Protain
for Lyons, and they more than held their own for the rest of the
half. Roberts had a shot deflected wide, Rose shot just over,
Xavier's cross shot flew just past a post, and it took a diving
header from Townsend to prevent Xavier netting a Roberts cross.
Half time gave Harrow the chance to regroup and they began the
second half confidently.
Firm
tackling at the back, good interpassing in midfield and enough
of an attacking threat to cause Wycombe some concern, meant that
Boro' were still in the hunt, if Wycombe became complacent. Dwayne
Lewis shot wide, Rose saw yet another shot turned just wide by
the 'keeper, then Roberts had a shot blocked. However, the goal
they deserved would not come, and Wycombe sealed the result with
their first effort of the half, in the 67th minute. Brown's free
kick was powerfully headed home by BATES, lurking at the far post.
The
final phase of the game, as with the rest of it, was played in
good spirit, with Harrow hunting for a consolation and Wycombe
happy to rely on breakaways. From a Roberts free kick, Danny Nwaokolo
forced a flying save with his header, Taylor's lunge was needed
to stop Xavier netting, then Harrow had a worthwhile appeal for
a penalty rejected, after Bates charged Lund off the ball.
By
then, Harrow had probably created F A Cup history, by introducing
48 year old substitute Barry Silkman, a Football League star of
the 1970's. Not only is he the oldest player to appear in the
F A Cup since the late Stanley Matthews but he is probably the
oldest ever sub in the competition!
Harrow
Borough: Hook, Rose, Nwaokolo, Lewis (sub 69 Hurlock), Cooper,
Lyons (sub 32 Protain), Roberts, Lund, Gavin, Xavier (sub 74 Silkman),
Payne Subs: McCormack and Oktay
Wycombe
Wanderers: Taylor, Townsend, Beeton, Cousins, Bates, Ryan
(sub 74 Castledine), Harkin (sub 67 McSporran), Simpson, Lee (sub
64 Brown), Rammell, Thompson Subs: Rogers and Westhead
