Arthurian League Premier Division

Match Report 15/11/2003: Old Harrovians 2 Old Salopians 1

Thanks to some bizarre fixture scheduling and an unfortunate cup draw, these two sides found themselves facing each other for the third time in the space of little over a month. With the league program now well under way, both teams found themselves in the wrong half of the table and desperate to claim the three points on offer.

Harrow had serious selection problems with a number of key players simultaneously choosing to have this weekend off. Quentin Baker, Harry Hoffen and Nick Warner were all unavailable and, with David Lederman still absent with a torn hamstring, a number of new faces were present in the starting line-up. Bert Worthy kept his place in goal after a solid first performance the week before, Ed Arghebant was called up at right back and Carlton Nelson made his debut for the side on the right of midfield, John Wyn-Evans partnering Paul Molloy in the centre. Jamie Waugh joined Rupert Hoffen in attack.

The enforced changes initially looked to be causing the Harrow team problems in the first half, as time and again the midfield battle swung in favour of the opposition. Although the Harrow defence looked generally sound, the chances were all falling to the opposition and it looked like would be a long afternoon for the home side.

The pressure eventually told after half an hour. A Salopian move down the Harrow left ended with a cross being delivered to the near post where a rather fortunate deflection sent the ball looping slowly into the far corner of the net. It was no more than the visitors deserved and in truth, Harrow was fortunate to go in at the break only a single goal down. Bert Worthy made a number of vital interceptions on the edge of his area and there were several goalmouth scrambles which could have resulted in further goals being conceded.

The half-time break brought a change in the Harrow formation which was hoped would provide some much needed support for Paul Molloy and John Wyn-Evans in the centre of midfield: Jamie Waugh was brought back as a nominal fifth midfielder and Rupert Hoffen, who had hitherto done most of his work down the right wing, instructed to stay within the widths of the penalty areas.

The tactical switch proved successful, Harrow began to get a foothold in the game and possession became more even. The team got yet another boost in the form of two injuries to the Salopians which reduced them first to ten, then to just nine men with a good twenty minutes still to play.

Whilst playing against ten men Harrow drew level, again thanks to a bit of good fortune. Paul Molloy lost the ball in midfield but was reprieved when the Salopian left back played a suicidal ball back towards his own goal. Jamie Waugh was wandering back towards his own half, but with the Salopians vainly appealing for offside, suddenly found himself with a one-on-one. He made no mistake, calmly biding his time before curling the ball round the keeper to make it 1-1.

Harrow sensed they had a chance to go one better and secure maximum points and with the second injury befalling the opposition they took their opportunity with some style. Piers Bourke, who, once more, was having an excellent game on the left, broke at pace into Salopian territory. However, instead of going on one of his notorious slaloming runs, the winger surprised everyone by firing an early ball across the pitch to the unmarked Rupert Hoffen, careering through the middle. Just like his brother a week before, Rupert finished a Harrow move off with a tremendous first-time strike from the edge of the box, leaving the rather average Salopian keeper with no chance.

Although the Salopians tried to recover, there was a determination about the Harrow side not to concede further goals. Worthy nonchalantly made a difficult save look almost easy, clawing away a header one-handed when it was destined for the top corner, but in truth, the Harrow will was always greater than their opponent’s skill.

All eleven players played their part in an excellent victory and it is comforting to know that even with several regulars missing, the side appears to have strength in depth that has not been present in previous seasons. With the fixture list up until Christmas about to be released, the Blues find themselves in their best league position at this stage of the season since they gained promotion to the top division. The remaining games this year will be crucial: a good run will see the team challenging for the title come the New Year; a series of defeats would see survival once more the sole aim.

Harrow (4-4-2, 4-5-1): Bert Worthy; Ed Arghebant, Tim Dalton, Obi Umenyilora, Charlie Tweddle; Carlton Nelson, Paul Molloy, John Wyn-Evans, Piers Bourke; Rupert Hoffen, Jamie Waugh