Wealdstone 0 – 3 Harrow Borough

Wealdstone

0 - 3

Harrow Borough

KO: 0:00 | Sat 25th Sep ’04

Seventy one years as neighbours and numerous meeting in County and FA cup competitions, but this was the first ever League match between the two sides.

Match is probably too strong a word though as it seemed anything but competitive for the first half hour, neither side making any progress forward and both seeming content to play out a midfield struggle. It was the visitors that made the first foray forward during this spell, but on two occasions the ball was given away in the penalty box.

Stones first (and only meaningful) effort in the first half was a header from Carvell that sailed just wide, but on 40 minutes probably the best piece of play of the afternoon (it had little competition) saw the visitors take the lead when a ball was played behind the Stones defence and Valenti ran on, looked up and coolly chipped the onrushing Carter from 15 yards.

The second half saw Stones push forward with a little more purpose early on, but again without putting any pressure on the Boro defence. A mistake from Cahill on the hour as he gave his man too much room and allowed him to turn and knock the ball into the path of Valenti increased Boro’s lead, Valenti running through the defence to beat Carter with a low shot.

Substitutions brought Stones a little more power and passion with Alexander up front and he was thwarted on 80 minutes in Stones first real attempt on goal, Karamoto saving well, but with the home side at last pushing on to try and make a game of it, there was more space than ever for Valenti and he finished Boro’s third chance with another one on one, giving Carter no chance. In fact he almost had a fourth late on but Carter saved this and an effort from Haule in the last few minutes.

It was a dull match generally, played in front of a crowd of 602, but at least 80 will have gone home happy with the result. Many will also have been convinced that they had watched a game between two poor sides that will struggle as the season goes on. One at least now has three points more.

Harrow Observer Match Report