Sports - Football - Ryman Premier League - Harrow Borough 4:2 Hendon
Boro get their sweet revenge in relegation battle
After being presented with the Team Performance of the Month award for the second time in February, David Howell's men did everything else but sit back and underestimate their rivals Hendon. They had not forgotten the nightmare 7:0 thrashing their opponents gave them at Claremont Road in October. That night, two Harrow players saw red including goalkeeper Andray Baptist. Howell feels with the fans and their expectations: “We were rubbish [that night]. Fans look at results not at the cause. It was a horrible night.”
That in mind and sharing the unwanted record of most draws with Ramsgate this season, the Boro made their intentions clear, starting strong holding off their opponents' early attempts of attack and then taking the lead through a close range shot by Gary Noel after their first break into the Dons' box (6.).
But the lead did not last long, Hendon's Marc Leach headed the ball from the first corner to his captain James Parker who cut open the Harrow defence and headed into the centre of the goal. But instead of boosting the team's confidence the equaliser seemed to dim and slow down Hendon's display, giving Harrow's back men hardly anything to do.
The Boro took a confident lead into half time, after Noel scored his second of the match and fourth league goal of the season with a confident right-foot shot into the bottom-left of an open goal, just past the half-hour mark. Noel and Dewayne Clarke formed a productive partnership up front, creating a lot of breaks and chances, keeping the Hendon defence challenged and worried.
They kept the pressure up at the start of the second half, having a penalty appeal not given just before they saw Hendon's number 11 Sam Collins' cross from the left headed in by Jamie Busby right in front of goalkeeper Andray Baptist. Frustrated, Harrow stepped up a gear with Noel and Clarke again pushing and creating chance after chance.
Just past the hour mark, Clarke squandered a chance in front of goal, not connecting to Miles Jones fine cross from the right. But only seconds later, Noel got his well-deserved hat-trick, hitting the bottom-right of the net after a fine run from his own half. It could have been four soon after but Clarke was given offside wrongly after breaking through past Glenn Garner and Parker.
Harrow's goalkeeper and defence had not much to do, brushing off the couple of attacks Hendon were able to create comfortably. With only seconds to go, Noel made it four for him and Harrow, after Ryan Watts' break from the left and fine cross, he made it look like he had all the time in the world to finish off the score 4:2. He is now joint-top scorer in the league with Jonathan Constant on six goals, and top scorer in all competitions with twelve goals, overtaking Dewayne Clarke on eight goals.
Manager Howell was proud of his team after the match, lauding: “We are the only team to have beaten the top team... They are a good bunch of players, it is just the lack of consistency that has cost us.... Danny Leach was good, but the different defence gave us the advantage with Tobi [Jinadu] left out in the last match, he came back [for injured captain] with the attitude I wanted.”
Asked if he was worried about losing another top scorer in Noel after their former top scorer Robin Shroot had left them for Birmingham, he said sensibly: “I am pleased for him. They learn the game here. I would be happy if Noel left, too. Players are not here for the money but for the experience.... It is about playing and enjoying the game not worrying about fighting relegation [and losing players]”
Harrow Borough (4-4-2): 1 Baptist; 2 Hall, 4 Leech (c), 5 Jinadu, 3 Watts; 11 Fenton (14 Jones 55.), 8 McGonigle (12 Frenpong HT), 7 Fraser, 6 Smith; 9 Clarke, 10 Noel. Subs (not used): 15 Dahl, 16 Whitely, 17 Hunke. Goals: 10 Noel 6., 32., 64. & 94.. Booked: 11 Fenton 20., 9 Clarke 59..
Hendon (3-4-1-2): 1 Viner; 3 Kirby, 4 Leach (14 Garner HT), 5 Parker (c); 8 O'Leary, 2 Burgess (12 Byfield 79), 6 Busby, 11 Collins; 7 Dyer; 9 Haule, 10 Dean. Subs (not used): 15 Hunt, 17 Guentchev. Goals: 5 Parker 11., 6 Busby 50.. Booked: 5 Parker 30..
1st half ----------------------------------------- 2nd half
Harrow:Hendon ---------------------- Harrow:Hendon
3:2 Attempts 5:2
2:1 On target 2:2
1:0 Offsides 3:3
2:3 Corners 3:4
2:7 Free Kicks 4:4
Referee: E.I. Smith
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