Match Report: September 25^th 2004: Old Harrovians 4 – 0 Old Westminsters

A new season dawned at the murky Philathletic pitches on Saturday as the reigning champions (yes, Harrow really did win the Arthurian League last year) took to the field with their first assignment to overcome the not inconsiderable threat posed by a talented, if somewhat brittle, Westminster side.

Bert Worthy, keeping fit with the prospect of a fourth testimonial due at the end of season 2007/8, claimed the number one jersey thanks to James Harper’s catalogue of injuries failing to heal sufficiently – James is expected to be out for another three weeks as his dislocated shoulder recovers.

Charlie Tweddle was a further absentee, his twisted ankle a short-term problem which should see him back in action sooner rather than later.

The side welcomed two new faces to the squad, Dave Mutter and Ben Hypolite, who both took their places on the bench awaiting their first taste of Arthurian League action.

Given the stresses and strains of the pre-season, when Harrow has been soundly beaten in all three of their Greenland Cup games and had two players sent off in one match, an energetic, but low-key opening was required and that is exactly what the Blues did their best to provide.

The first fifteen minutes saw Harrow create several excellent chances, with two Lederman crosses put wide: firstly, Quentin Baker’s header flashed past the near post after a well-timed run into the box; then, Harry Hoffen failed to find the target from a stationary position 15 yards out. Tim Dalton also came close as he connected with a corner, but the portents looked good for the home side.

The best chance of the half arrived after twenty minutes when Piers Bourke drilled a low shot from the edge of the box which ricocheted off the foot of the near post to safety with the Westminster ‘keeper well beaten.

Gradually however, the visitors eased themselves back into the game with some persistent play: their central midfield axis competed well with captain Baker and Paul Molloy in the centre of the pitch and although they offered little up front, they did manage to force a number of corners and set-pieces around the Harrow penalty area, all of which were cleared with varying degrees of comfort.

Half-time allowed the Harrovians to regroup, with the ten minutes preceding the break seeing the tension amongst the team increasing as passes went astray with unusual regularity. The general consensus though was that the side just had to keep playing and being patient and the chances would gradually arrive. For once, Harrovian nonchalance was not mis-placed.

The second half began in much the same way as the first half had: early Harrovian pressure leading to several good chances, all of which were spurned. Straight from the kick-off an excellent move through the middle of the park left Harry Hoffen with another opportunity to open his account for the season, but he snatched at it and skewed the ball well wide with just the ‘keeper to beat.

However, as the game wore on, the Harrovians tough pre-season eventually began to tell and their superior fitness allowed the team to begin dictating the play to their opponents.

It was somewhat ironic therefore when the opening goal was scored from a Westminster attack. A free-kick launched into the Harrow box was headed clear by David Lederman and when he received a return pass from Harry Hoffen, he poked it through to the onrushing Nick Warner. The right-back made no mistake, biding his time carefully before firing low past the goalkeeper at the near post.

The football then began to flow more freely for the champions and it was no surprise when they increased their lead. Rupert Hoffen tapped home into an open goal after his brother had been unlucky not to score himself after a fine run and shot, Quentin Baker headed home from a Lederman corner, and then Rupert Hoffen scored his second and Harrow’s fourth after out- jumping the full-back at the far-post to head home powerfully following another Lederman cross.

Despite the four goals, the team’s performance defensively was worthy of praise, with Tim Dalton and Rowley Higgs looking sound at centre-back and Jamie Waugh coping manfully with his unfamiliar role at left-back. Nick Warner showed that there’s no reason for 15 holidays a year to hinder your fitness and Bert Worthy also put in a performance which belied his ageing frame.

Credit also to the two substitutes who also made their bows: Ben Hypolite looked strong on the left wing when he replaced Piers Bourke for the last half hour and Dave Mutter also added some steel to the team when he replaced Nick Warner for the last few minutes.

All-in-all it had been a most satisfactory start to the season and one the team must look to build on when they travel to face Shrewsbury next weekend.

Harrow (4-4-2): Bert Worthy; Nick Warner (Dave Mutter, 85mins), Tim Dalton, Rowley Higgs, Jamie Waugh; David Lederman, Quentin Baker (capt), Paul Molloy, Piers Bourke (Ben Hypolite, 65mins); Harry Hoffen, Rupert Hoffen

Goalscorers: Warner (60), Baker (75), R. Hoffen (70,82)

Magnifico: Rupert Hoffen

Muy Bueno: Nick Warner

Bueno: Tim Dalton

Vaya Dia! Piers Bourke

Leading Goalscorers 2004/5:

2 Rupert Hoffen

1 Nick Warner

Quentin Baker