Match Report: November 6^th 2004: Old Etonians 1 – 2 Old Harrovians

Harrow hit the summit of the Arthurian League Premiership following last Saturday’s excellent 2-1 victory away to Charterhouse. But they knew that to stay there they had to beat both Eton and Forest in their next two games, two of the main contenders for the Premiership.

The game against Eton was played on the usual sticky surface in Windsor, with some fine drizzle in the air, but an expectant crowd for what is the closest thing either side have to a local derby in the league.

For the visitors, Charlie Tweddle declared himself fit to play after finally overcoming his ankle injury, whilst Freddy Brunt also made the journey from Winchester – both were named on the bench. Otherwise, Harrow named a full-strength eleven and with captain Quentin Baker stressing beforehand just how important the match was, the team began the match determined to stamp their authority on their hitherto unbeaten rivals.

The opening twenty minutes of the match were surprisingly open, with both sides creating chances. Despite the absence of a strong breeze, much of the play was concentrated down one half of the pitch, the Harrow right, and from here several opportunities were created and spurned. Winger David Lederman combined well with Harry Hoffen and both players sent a number of crosses into the Eton box, although none were met convincingly. Lederman then tested the ‘keeper with a left-footer from the edge of the box, but it was comfortably held.

At the other end, the much-vaunted Etonian strikeforce were living up to their reputation with a number of dangerous runs. Matt Lowe, one of the most accomplished forwards in the league, was testing Tim Dalton to his limits, but a series of well-timed challenges frustrated any early Eton threat.

It was disappointing, therefore, when a long clearance from the Eton rearguard deceived the Harrow centre-halves sufficiently to allow Lowe a clear run on goal. Initially, it appeared as though first Higgs, then Dalton and finally Jamie Waugh would be able to deny the chance, but Lowe kept his cool and, as Bert Worthy narrowed the angle, he calmly slipped it past his left hand into the far corner.

If it was a somewhat unjust lead, the visitors wasted little time in responding and within ten minutes had turned the 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 lead.

Five minutes after the Eton goal, Lederman took a quick corner with the defence napping and an unmarked Quentin Baker headed superbly into the top corner, something the Harrow skipper does possibly better than anyone in the league.

Five minutes later and Baker’s midfield compatriot, Paul Molloy, silenced the Eton support with a stunning goal. A Harrow cross from the right was half-cleared to Molloy five yards outside the penalty area. Having controlled it perfectly on his thigh, Paul then rifled a right-footed half-volley into the left-hand stanchion, leaving the goalkeeper without a prayer. Despite a slight deflection off a defender, the strike merited the fulsome celebrations that followed – a definite goal of the season contender. Suddenly, Harrow was up for it again and the Etonians were stunned into silence.

The remainder of the half could and possibly should have seen Harrow extend their lead and make the game relatively safe. Lederman saw his curling free-kick misjudged by the Eton ‘keeper only for it to rattle the crossbar and rebound to safety, several headers from corners flew past the Eton goal, and further penetrating runs from Piers Bourke, Quentin Baker and Harry Hoffen promised more than they delivered. However, the 2-1 half-time scoreline was acceptable and it left the visitors needing to produce another excellent 45 minutes to secure the three points.

Unfortunately, the break served only to inspire the home side, who came out for the second half determined to gain a foothold in the match. Whereas in the first half, Baker and Molloy had control of the midfield, the second belonged to the Etonians. Suddenly, pressure was building on the Harrow back four and clearing the ball to safety became the limit of the team’s ambitions.

A number of Eton corners were conceded, and despite the odd scare, most were cleared without too much panic. But the Hoffen brothers up front were struggling to gain possession of clearances and wide men Lederman and Bourke saw little or nothing of the ball, Jamie Waugh especially struggled to provide his winger with regular service.

Despite the struggle, the Harrow back four looked solid enough, with Dalton an ever-increasing rock at the back, ably assisted by Rowley Higgs, and the Etonians became ever more desperate. As the home side pushed more men forward, spaces began to open up and in the last fifteen minutes Harrow could have sentenced the match conclusively.

Nick Warner collected a loose ball on the edge of the area and after a storming run fired wildly over the bar from close range. Freddy Brunt, on for Rupert Hoffen, then went on a superb dribble following a breakaway, and he appeared to have done the hard work, beating the last couple of Etonians, only for his precise shot to cannon back off the inside of the post. Harry Hoffen then forced the goalkeeper into a superb save, as Harrow continued trying to get the conclusive third.

The final whistle ended what could be a significant match come the end of the season. It was a fair result too, with Harrow producing the better football in the first half, before showing their battling qualities in the second to restrict the Etonians to half-chances from set-pieces. The Harrow defence looked solid enough, apart from a slightly shaky opening twenty minutes, with perhaps the only area of concern the front two: both Rupert and Harry Hoffen struggled to impose themselves on the game and more is needed if the team is to compete effectively against Forest next week. Harry’s record of only finding the net in one match this season, albeit the superb four-goal salvo he fired against Lancing, is a worry, but there is plenty of time for the AFA Representative striker to come good.

Afterwards, traditional Etonian hospitality almost turned sour when the complexity of the advance order for hot teas became all too much for the flustered pub landlord and his Eastern European staff. Despite receiving instructions for ten places to be laid, the arrival of twelve people caused a panic the like of which has rarely been seen before. Thankfully, the obvious solution was reached: eleven dinners were delivered.

Fortunately, Tim Dalton, wearing nothing but a puffer jacket the size of a king-size duvet, was out to dinner later in the evening, so accepted the generous offer of one of his captain’s sausages…

Well done Timothy.

Harrow (4-4-2): Bert Worthy; Nick Warner, Tim Dalton, Rowley Higgs, Jamie Waugh (Charlie Tweddle, 65); David Lederman, Quentin Baker, Paul Molloy, Piers Bourke; Harry Hoffen, Rupert Hoffen (Freddy Brunt, 85)

Goalscorers: Quentin Baker (25), Paul Molloy (30)

Magnifico: Tim Dalton (on and off the pitch)

Muy Bueno: Quentin Baker (on and off the pitch)

Bueno: Paul Molloy

Vaya Dia! Harry Hoffen (on and off the pitch)

Leading Goalscorers 2004/5 (after 7 league games):

5 Rupert Hoffen

4 Harry Hoffen

Paul Molloy

3 Quentin Baker

2 David Lederman

1 Nick Warner

Jamie Waugh

Freddy Brunt

Piers Bourke