Wealdstone 1 – 0 Harrow Boro
Wealdstone3R
1 - 0
Harrow BoroughTHIS season’s third clash between the borough’s two premier sides didn’t exactly bring the locals out in droves on a cold Tuesday night. But those who stayed at home to watch the Chelsea-Barcelona goal-fest, missed Wealdstone put one over Borough following two previous league defeats.
The Middlesex Charity Cup has never appealed to even the most ardent non-league football watcher, and only about a third of the number that watched the league match between these two sides last month were present to see Wealdstone get a little piece of revenge for two league defeats.
Wealdstone were out of the blocks the quicker and could have scored three times in a frantic first five minutes.
They had to be content with just the one goal however, scored from close-in by Richard Jolly from Ben Alexander’s pass, his first goal in seven games.
Lopez’s block stopped Brian Jones making it two moments later before Dyer, on the goal-line, kept a Matt Carvell header out.
The crowd must have been wondering if this was to be a truly memorable Wealdstone evening.
Alas no, as the next Stones attempt at goal worthy of that description came when Karamoko saved a Jolly effort a full hour later.
In between it was all Borough, but the side that have scored the fewest number of goals in the Ryman League lived up to their billing, and despite plenty of pressure and chances, Wealdstone stood firm.
Andy Carter twice saved at the feet of Valenti and also thwarted a notable Haule effort.
Dyer had a shot blocked and Marney fired over.
In a rare Wealdstone foray, Gary Burrell fired across goal but Borough’s Onochie did likewise at the other end minutes later.
Wealdstone were slightly more inventive after the turnaround but Borough still looked more likely to score.
Poor ball control would have given Alexander a one-on-one with Karamoko early in the half, but Carter was still performing heroics at the other end with further good saves from Valenti and Onochie.
Martin Carter and Alexander could have done better with a couple of openings and Marney twice headed over following free-kicks but the improving Wealdstone defence kept a second successive clean sheet to earn a semi-final clash at Yeading.
Harrow Times – Steve Spaull