Harrow Borough 1 – 2 Wealdstone

Harrow Times – Simon Grigor

On Boxing Day, Harrow could count themselves unfortunate to go down to their local rivals.

Nearly four months on, the result was the same, but the story different as Wealdstone completed a league double over Boro on Tuesday night with a victory more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests.

Harrow’s Premier Division status for next season had been secured by results elsewhere on Easter Monday.

And from the displays put on by the two sides it was all too clear that the Stones were the only one still under threat.

If local bragging rights mattered to the Harrow players, it was none too clear from this hugely disappointing performance.

There was little indication of what was to follow, as Harrow had the better of the opening 20 minutes, although without ever seriously threatening the visiting goal.

A Marvin Neufville header was deflected over, Howard Newton shot wide following a long Daniel Nielsen throw, and Nielsen’s cross was turned over by Carroll as it threatened to dip under the bar.

But it was the visitors who took the lead after 21 minutes with thei first meaningful attack.

Emond Protain gave away a free-kick, which was delivered into the Harrow area from the right.

The ball somehow found its way to Zoricich, a few yards out, and he steered the ball home.

The goal seemed to deflate Harrow totally, and they didn’t put together an attacking move of note for the rest of the half.

With Wealdstone starting to press the man in possession to great effect, Francis went close twice, with a curled free-kick that Keita Karamoko tipped round the post, and with an angled shot that fizzed across the Borough goalmouth.

Harrow supporters’ hopes that David Howell’s half-time words would stun them into action were forlorn, for the visitors opened the second half with a Miller header wide and a Francis shot saved by Karamoko after the Stones forward had burst past a static Neufville. Francis then held off Protain to lob the ball narrowly over the bar.

A second goal looked on the cards, and it arrived after 57 minutes, Wayne Walters fatally letting a left-wing cross run across him.

Holland was stealing in behind him and could hardly miss with his close-range header.

Cooper drove over for Wealdstone before Borough finally had an attack of note, James Bent shooting wide after a free-kick.

Wealdstone were in command but gave Harrow a lifeline in the 73rd minute when a defender held Neufville down in the box. Brian Haule slotted home the penalty.

Karamoko made a double save from Francis, while Newton turned and shot wide for Borough.

Still the Stones had the better of the game.

Montgomery had a shot wide and then Turner brought the save of the night from Karamoko with a rasping effort that was heading for the top corner.

Harrow were lucky to be only a goal behind, but mounted a late revival. Newton hit a shot wide, before getting behind the visiting defence on the left.

Carroll advanced and blocked his shot, but the ball fell to Haule who set up Elliot Onochie who drove over the angle of post and bar.

A long left-wing cross from Kai Williams then landed at Leon Morris’s feet, but he made a poor connection.

Haule then burst past Carroll, but good defending from Homand guided him away from goal.

A possible handball from a Morris corner was ignored by the ref, but anything other than a Stone win would have been a travesty.

Hopefully, some strong words were said by the Borough management after this game.

This sort of performance should not be seen, in any game, but should certainly never again be Harrow’s offering in a local derby fixture.