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Swiftly
returning to the everyday grind of Premier Division survival, following
the previous Tuesday's cup semi final victory, Harrow remained in
18th place out of their 22 team table, after Saturday's defeat at
Scraley Road. High flying Swifts are the division's third highest
scorers, so keeping a clean sheet was never going to be an easy
option in deepest Essex. As it turned out, the hosts' superior finishing
proved crucial on the day, writes Tony Booth.
Two
more new faces joined the Boro' line up, with Lee Broughton moving
from Arlesey Town and Leon Woodruffe transferring in from Yeading.
With Cooper, Payne, Everitt, Xavier, Nwaokolo and Hyslop all unavailable
through injury, Boro's starting eleven was much changed once more
- but they had a splendid opening,netting within three minutes.
With both teams finding it hard to adapt to the sodden, bumpy pitch
and the swirling breeze, John Hurlock sent WOODRUFFE goalwards and
he beat one lunging tackle before unleashing a powerful drive that
beat Banks all ends up. Long shots were the order of the day, as
wind assisted efforts looked likely goal candidates.
Clean
tackling was also a necessity on the troublesome surface, Fontenelle
being so denied after a mazy run, then Broughton doing well to deny
a goalbound opponent. A neat move saw the home team draw level after
nine minutes, when PARKER steered in a shot off the far post. Harrow
then fell behind ten minutes later, another neat lay off putting
LEE clear to round Hook and net from a narrow angle. The game continued
in an open fashion throughout, with chances a plenty at both ends.
Broughton did well to head clear when the hosts threatened, whilst
Fontenelle saw his shot saved and the home 'keeper had to grab a
misplaced header from a colleague.
Around
the half hour, Boro' were fortunate when Streetley's header rebounded
back from the crossbar, but Boro' were similarly unlucky when Woodruffe's
cross led to Hurlock and Gavin being denied by a superb double save
by the 'keeper. The visitors drew level in the 37th minute, when
Fontenelle passed across the face of the defence and Carl LEVENE
drove a 25 yard shot past the static 'keeper. A good diving save
by Hook then ensured that Boro' went in to the half time break on
level terms. Swifts enterprisingly rolled the pitch at half time,
assisting both teams as they attempted to get the better of the
elements.
Gavin's
pass soon sent Woodruffe clear but his fierce shot was well saved
by Banks, whereupon Lee Boylan made a brief ( 11 minute ) entry
into the game. The former Republic of Ireland under 21 international
had only just recovered from a severe facial injury sustained whilst
playing in the Czech Republic. Soon after coming on as a sub, he
ran onto Broughton's misplaced backheader, only to see his 25 yard
chip over Hook rebound back to the 'keeper off the far post. The
unlucky forward then collided with Lewis and had to be replaced,
following treatment to a head injury! John Hurlock's last part in
the play saw him head narrowly wide from a Woodruffe cross but,
following two Boro' substitutions, the hosts regained the lead through
a 77 minute penalty.
With
Woodruffe grounded through injury, the Swifts broke clear and Walsh
tripped Lee. PARKER netted the spot kick. Within a minute, at the
other end, Rose's cross was lost by the home 'keeper, 'like a Spitfire
coming out of the sun', only for Woodruffe to shoot wide. Joe Lyons
then drove a shot just over, from Scott's cross, before Swifts scored
the decider in the 83rd minute. Broughton was beaten in the air
and PARKER ran on to beat the advancing Hook, thus completing his
hat trick and making his overall tally 46 goals in 103 appearances.
Three
minutes later, it took a Walsh goalline clearance to prevent further
damage from the rampant Parker. Boro' had more than their fair share
of possession in the second half but a combination of their finishing
letting them down and the excellence of home 'keeper Banks.In stoppage
time, Lyons had a shot blocked, Levene's was deflected wide, Gavin
headed onto the far post from Levene's corner and Bates was denied
by a leaping tipover by the 'keeper. At least from their survival
point of view, Boro' could be thankful that half the other teams
around them in the table also lost. With home games still to come
against the bottom three clubs, Boro's destiny is in their own hands.
Harrow:
Hook; Rose, Protain; Lewis, Broughton, M. Walsh; Fontenelle ( Bates
), Levene, Gavin, Hurlock ( Scott ), Woodruffe ( J. Lyons ).
Heybridge:
Banks; Kreyling, Wiles; Streetley ( Moss ), Waters, Caton; Payne,
Parker, Gillespie ( Boylan ) ( Wall ), Lee, Kane.
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