|
View
Lineups / Goalscorers
 Harrow's
third successive defeat but this loss to neighbours Hendon in the
traditional Boxing Day fixture was in some ways the most disappointing.
Poor defending and more of the spirit of Christmas saw Boro gift
the visitors four goals but mistakes littered most of Boro's play.
Hendon
looked the more lively from the kick-off and Danny Nwaokolo hooked
Paul Adolphe's shot off the line after the former Boro midfielder
had taken the ball around Boro keeper James Robinson. The visitors
took the lead after 27 minutes. Davis Haule was allowed to cross
from the right despite the close attention of two Boro defenders
and his centre was headed in by the unchallenged David Adekola.
Two
minutes later, Robinson, still deputising for the injured David
Hook, failed to gather a straightforward ball and he was left stranded
as Adekola knocked the ball across goal for Adolphe to score from
the easiest of chances. Although poor defending accounted for the
goals on the balance of play Hendon deserved their lead at this
stage with Boro seemingly making the visitor's penalty area a "no
go area".
Over
the last 15 minutes of the first half Boro did have more of the
ball but still could not create a worthwhile goal attempt. Disaster
struck again just before half time. Boro twice failed to clear the
ball adequately and the third time it was played into their penalty
area Mark Cooper slipped and miskicked straight to Adekola who hammered
a low drive past Robinson. Boro showed more resolve in the second
period and Oliver Petersen got behind the Hendon defence but his
lob, although beating keeper Newall, sailed wide.
Mark
Xavier brought an excellent save from Newall and from the resultant
corner sub David Howell drove over. Hope of a comeback flickered
briefly after 54 minutes when Derek Payne scored a fine goal driving
the ball low past Newall after beating Clarke. But after 65 minutes
Hendon restored their three goal advantage when Davis Haule turned
Cooper on the edge of the box and fired in despite Robinson's attempt
to turn the ball over the bar. In the final minutes a slip by Oliver
Lyons allowed Adekola a chance but he drove across goal and wide
before Robinson made an excellent save to keep the Hendon striker
out.
Hendon,
apart from a short spell after half time, were always in control
and the scoreline scarcely flattered them. Adekola and Haule caused
Boro problems all game but old head Phil Gridelet back at Hendon
after a successful English League career probably did as much damage
in his rather languid style as the strikers. Harrow's next fixture
is at Aldershot on New Years Day and they will need to rediscover
their outstanding form of a month ago if they are to get back to
winning ways.
Their
passing game has temporarily deserted them with not enough players
supporting the player on the ball and too little movement. Coupled
with a return of the defensive frailties that were apparent at the
start of the season life is suddenly becoming difficult again. It
seems a long time since Wycombe.
Harrow
Boro Hendon Robinson 1 Newall Rose 2 Duncan Lyons 3 Clarke Lewis
4 Daly Cooper 5 Towler Nwaokolo 6 Fitzgerald Roberts 7 Adolphe Lund
8 Kelly Gavin 9 Binns Xavier 10 Haule Payne 11 Gridelet Howell (for
Lund, 46) 12 Guentchev (for Binns 80 mins) Petersen (for Roberts,
46) 14 Adekola (for Fitzgerald 10 mins) Walsh 15 Johnson for Adolphe
80 mins) Referee Mr. A. Wager Bookings Lyons Adolphe
|
