Harrow Borough 2 Swindon Supermarine 2

Pitching In Southern League Premier South | Saturday 14th October 2023

Posted by Keith Yeomans on October 15th 2023

From a Harrow Borough persective!

Harrow were denied the pot at the end of a rainbow as they were twice pegged back by Marine on an entertaining afternoon, courtesy of Harrow Borough’s Brian Walter.

Whilst the early season struggles at Harrow have hardly raised eyebrows across the league, it is certainly a surprise to everyone that Swindon are sat bottom of the table with only two points from their opening opening games. Finishing 6th last season, only missing out on the playoffs by two points, they lost their opening seven league games, resulting in a managerial change.

The turnaround from last season emphasises the difference that a couple of high-class players can make at this level. Harry Williams has departed for Gloucester City having scored 70 in 104 appearances and being the joint top scorer in the league with 34 in the last campaign.

It’s no coincidence that both Harrow and Swindon who occupied 20th and 22nd place in the league table coming into the game are also in identical positions in the goals scored table.

Harrow had an early scare when a low corner from the Marine right forced home keeper Tyler Tobin to scramble the ball behind at his front post after only two minutes. Marine then presented Harrow with the opportunity to go in front in the 6th minute. Kamikaze passing around their own area led to Reece Mitchell intercepting the ball and then being brought down inside the box by Ioan Richards as he was poised to slot the ball home.

Referee Harrison Blair awarded Boro the penalty and showed Ioan Richards a yellow card for the challenge. Reece Mitchell picked himself up and scored the penalty low to Conor Brann’s left. Hopes that Harrow would use this as a springboard were dashed only two minutes later.

A foul on Liban Ibrahim a few yards outside the Harrow area after eight minutes resulted in the Marine skipper Jake Andrews) curling a sublime left footed free kick over the defensive wall and into the net to Tobin’s left.

The Southern League ‘YouTube’ site runs a goal of the week competition and I doubt any team has featured more than Harrow as opposition for the goals conceded. It appears that nearly every team we have played has had a player who can score from 25-yards out. Watching the Harrow players warm up before the game hitting shots over the clubhouse doesn’t fill me with confidence that we will be among the nominees for goal of the week anytime soon.

Harrow were forced into an early change. Ross Oulton limping off in the 18th minute to be replaced by Stefan Powell, denying himself the opportunity to win the 1st Harrow player to be booked competition for a 4th consecutive game. Lonit Talla took this week’s award when he was cautioned in the 27th minute for delaying the restart. One of the Harrow management team was shown a yellow card in the 20th minute after handbags in front of the home dugout also resulted in Marine’s Sam Turl also being cautioned.

It was a very open and fast paced game right from the off as both teams decided that attack was the best form on defence. Ronny Mfinda brought the ball down on the edge of the Marine box but could not keep his volley down. Zack Kotwica shot over for the visitors when given too much time and space inside the Harrow area. Harry Seabrook’s pinpoint pass sent Excellence Muhumemba free down the right in the 33rd minute. A low cross was fired across the 6-yard box but there was no Harrow player in the vicinity to apply the finishing touch.

Harrow did have the ball in the Marine net in the 43rd minute. The offside flag raised before Reece Yorke headed in from a right sided cross but there was still time for Lonit Talla to have a goal bound shot deflected over in first half stoppage time.

Half time talk on the terraces was that Harrow were taking one touch too many when they got near the Marine area and need a genuine centre forward who gets into the right areas to finish. Time and time again this season we have got into great attacking positions out wide, but have had nobody in the box to attack balls that were begging to be put away.

Just 25-seconds into the second half and Harrow were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon. Reece Mitchell was again felled, this time by Marine defender Malik Sesay as he went towards the by-line. He got up to place the ball on the spot for a second time and went the same way as his first half penalty, Brann guessed correctly and was able to parry the ball. Thankfully for Harrow, for the second game in a row at the school end it was a Harrow player who was first to the loose ball, with Reece Mitchell tapping home the rebound himself to give the home side a 2-1 lead.

Harrow looked dangerous going forward and consistently stretched the Marine backline. It was again the final ball or the wrong option taken that stopped Harrow from scoring what would have been a killer third goal. Marine were still threatening and levelled in the 72nd minute. Harrow appeals for offside were in vain as the visitors broke down the left. The ball was crossed into the middle of the Harrow area where Ed Williams was unmarked and easily converted with a left footed shot from 5-yards.

It was about this time that real football weather finally arrived. Dark rains clouds accompanied by a swirling wind and a drop in temperature. The heavens opened and torrential rain had everyone in the main stand fleeing to the back rows to stay dry. The heavy rain made the playing surface slippery with players from both sides finding it difficult to keep their feet.

The game was end to end and still being played at a fast pace as we entered the last 10 minutes. Sunshine replaced the rain. Tyler Robinson and Barsa Mirtahmasebi replaced Stefan Powell and Reece Yorke. Both sides were desperate to win as a draw would do neither any favours. It was Marine who looked more likely to score as the game went into stoppage time.

The Borough goal was under constant pressure as Marine threw everyone forward in cavalier style. Tyler Tobin slipped whilst clearing on the edge of his area in the 95th minute. The ball going straight to a Marine player 35-yards from goal. Thankfully the wet surface made it hard to control the ball and the opportunity was snuffed out.

Probably a fair result on the balance of play. Both sides will feel that they could have won it and would have rightly felt aggrieved had they lost. This was a game that personified non-league football. Frantic at times, fast paced, moments of quality and handbags on the touchline and there were chances at both ends.

Neutrals in the crowd would have definitely enjoyed the afternoon, special mention to the Marine fan who could suck the joy out of a Euro Millions win and spent the entire afternoon loudly slating their players and berating the referee for giving Harrow two nailed on penalties.

Editors Marine Star Man: Liban Ibrahim
Editors Harrow Star Man: Reece Mitchell
Attendance: 171

`Line Ups`

Harrow Borough
Manager: Jordan Berry
Colours: All Red
Line-up: 1. Tyler Tobin 2. Henry Lukombo 3. Jden Sharman 4. Ross Oulton (14. Stefan Powell 18’) 5. Reece Yorke (5. Tyler Robinson-Wakeham 85’) **6.**Harry Seabrook 7. Excellence Muhemba 8. Nagheeb Ibrahim 9. Lonit Talla (15. Barsa Mirtahmasebi 78’) 10. Ronny Mfinda 11. Reece Mitchell
Subs not used: 12. Mack Miskin, 147. Reece Cameron
Goalscorer: Reece Mitchell 6’pen, 47’
Cards:
Lonit Talla 27’, Stefan Powell 56’ Yellow Card
None Red Card
None Yellow & Red Card