League action at a cold Clarence Park where today's visitors are Harrow Borough who are 16th in the League with 32 points from 27 games, W8, D8, L11. Among their ranks are former Saints, Richard Goddard, Club Captain at the 'Boro, Sean James, injured today, and Fabio Valente. City are 4th in the table.
For today, Cookie selected Wilmot in goal, 4 at the back: Evans, Moran, Campbell (C) and Naylor; 4 in the middle: Oakes, Challinor, Jude Stirling (a loan signing from Stevenage) and Kean; and up front: Martin and Crawshaw. On the bench: De Souza, Mackail-Smith, Deacon, Young (loan signing from Harlow) and Slinn (formerly of Bedford). In the stand injured: Gledhill and Smith. Away on business: Brown.
A dull first half hour with neither side able to create scoring opportunities. A feature was the bullet throw of City newcomer, Jude Stirling which will create interest in any visitors box. City began to take control of the game over the last 15 minutes with both Oakes and Crawshaw close to opening the scoring. Saints had the position and the possession overall. H.T. 0-0.
Martin Young, a speedy, wide right-sided player, replaced the injured Oakes shortly after the break. City resumed the way they finished the first half and pressed, looking the more likely side to score. The goal came on the hour. A deep corner was headed towards the goal by Challinor, the visitors keeper came, jumped forward over the stationary Martin and spilled the ball to the feet of Crawshaw, who doesn't miss chances like that from two yards. 1-0.
Harrow responded and pressed. City fell to a deep defence and created pressure on themselves by failing to clear their lines. Chances fell at both ends, and with 10 minutes or so left, the visitors were awarded a penalty. A Harrow striker was put through, one-on-one with Wilmot, who did extremely well, came out fast and got a hand to deflect the ball. That's haw I saw it. The referee decided that Wilmot brought the player down and awarded a penalty, but no caution against the home keeper. Valente hit the spot kick hard to Wilmot's left but the keeper guessed correctly and made a great save.
The visitors became frustrated and received a number of yellow cards and finally a red for the substitute, Clarke. A long 8 minutes of injury time before City were pleased to hear the final whistle. F.T. 1-0.
Harrow were disappointing today, solid at the back but lacking creativity in front. Overly aggressive, too. They will know that the better team won. City showed flashes of quality football but but the midfield didn't quite gell although they were fielding two newcomers who will not be disappointed with their debuts. The sponsors MotM was Stirling, but for me, Campbell, Naylor and Crawshaw. Wilmot for the penalty save and a good all round performance, perhaps. The crowd was 456 with a handful having made the trip from North London.
Entertainment 7/10. Atmosphere 5/10. Technical merit 6/10. Referee 5/10.
Report by Homer |
