Match Report

Harrow Borough
1
Hendon
1
Date:
Saturday 30 March 2013
Competition:
Isthmian League Premier Division
Attendance:
207
Venue:
TBA

Match Report

Hendon scored in the last minute of normal time to snatch a deserved draw at Harrow Borough on Easter Saturday. It was no more than they deserved, and it left Borough somewhat more frustrated than the Greens.

Dave Diedhiou was unavailable, so Warren Goodhind came in for him, while Jack Connors took over from Jack Bennett and Isaiah Rankin dropped to the bench with Dean Cracknell getting the start.

Just as in the game at Vale Farm at the start of the month, Harrow started well and this time took the lead in just the third minute, just as the first of two snow flurries was coming to an end. A right-wing cross from Jordan Berry was met by Rob Wolleaston, and he nodded the ball past Berkley Laurencin.

Hendon, kicking into the wind, were set back that early goal, but Carl McCluskey and Belal Aite-Ouakrim enjoyed some success against Danny Leech and Michael Peacock, though they were unable to put Ross Fitzsimons under pressure.

Although the Greens enjoyed plenty of possession and created a number of half-chances, the final ball was lacking. Harrow, meanwhile, wasted a great opportunity in the 18th minute when Shaun Lucien was sent into space and had only Laurencin to beat. He fired wastefully wide.

Just after the half hour mark, Hendon put together a superb passing move involving Goodhind, Hall, Cracknell, Kevin Maclaren, Scott Cousins and Connors. The youngster's low cross was drilled goalwards by Cracknell, only to be blocked by a red-shirted defender. Hendon players appealed for handball, but the referee would have none of it.

Hendon had another escape in the 36th minute when Charles Ofusu-Hene picked up a loose pass from the Hendon defence and he had a clear run at goal. His shot from 15 yards, however, went around a dozen yards wide.

The Greens started the second half very positively and had a great chance to equalise in the 53rd minute, when Fitzsimons fumbled a cross under pressure from Carl McCluskey. Belal Aite-Ouakrim controlled the ball and shot at goal. Leech had covered his goalkeeper and he made the goal-line clearance.

With an hour gone, Rankin replaced Goodhind and he forced a save from Fitzsimons six minutes later. The goalkeeper had to be careful the ball didn't squeeze under his body inside his near post.

Simeon Akinola should have made the game safe three minutes before Rankin's shot. A deep cross from Ofusu-Hene eluded everyone inside the Hendon box and was met by Akinola, a yard or two from the goal. It needed only a simple touch to make it 2-0 but the striker smashed the ball over the crossbar.

Hendon continued to chase the game, still without creating too many clear chances. Cracknell and Kevin Maclaren made way for Casey Maclaren and Lee O'Leary in the final quarter of an hour.

Peacock came close to an own goal when he back-headed the ball past Fitzsimons and was relieved to watch the ball bounce a yard past the post. Laurencin was called into making a save when a 20-yard drive Berry was drilled straight at the goalkeeper at a comfortable height.

Another snow flurry on a bitterly cold afternoon made it appear to be miserable afternoon for the frozen Hendon faithful. But, patience is a virtue, and the Greens were rewarded in the last minute of normal time.

Cousins curled in a corner which McCluskey guided past Fitzsimons. The ball bounced off the crossbar and Sam Flegg nodded home the rebound from five yards. It was the first goal scored by a Hendon central defender all season.

McCann said, "I thought we were worth at least a point, but when you get to the last minute, you don't think it will ever come.

"Our approach play was very good, but we lacked a cutting edge up front - just as we have pretty much all season.

"That said, they had two or three good chances at 1-0 to put the game to be and they didn't take them."

Harrow boss, Dave Anderson, admitted, "I am gutted that we conceded the goal so late, but I thought Hendon were worth a point. We had three great chances at 1-0 and didn't take them."

Report by David Ballheimer

Hendon

1
Berkley Laurencin
2
Warren Goodhind
3
Scott Cousins
4
Sam Flegg
5
James Fisher
6
Kevin Maclaren
7
Dean Cracknell
8
Howard Hall
9
Belal Aite-Ouakrim
10
Carl McCluskey
11
Jack Connors
12
Casey Maclaren
13
Isaiah Rankin
14
Jack Bennett
15
Lee O'Leary
17
Max McCann

Match Events

Rob Wolleaston
3''
59''
Isaiah Rankin replaced Warren Goodhind
Saheed Sankoh replaced Rob Wolleaston
72''
Vences Bola replaced Charles Ofusu-Hene
74''
76''
Casey Maclaren replaced Dean Cracknell
86''
Lee O'Leary replaced Kevin Maclaren
James Burgess replaced Ola Williams
90''
90''
Sam Flegg

Harrow Borough

1
Ross Fitzsimons
2
Michael Barima
3
Garry Jones
4
Ola Williams
5
Danny Leech
6
Michael Peacock
7
Sean Lucien
8
Rob Wolleaston
9
Simeon Akinola
10
Jordan Berry
11
Charles Ofusu-Hene
12
James Burgess
14
Saheed Sankoh
15
Vences Bola
16
Paul Olima
17
Joseph Debayo