Corey Campbell in action at Harrow
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50 minutes in the car to Earlsmead, home of Harrow Borough. Good clubhouse facilities, but a disappointing ground. They have started sluggishly this season with 2 draws and a win from their 6 games. Among their ranks are former Saint, Richard Goddard, suspended today, and former Saints triallists Fabio Valente and Phil Gridelet.
City top the League, 6 & 0, and have yet to concede a goal 'on the road'. A dream start. Today, the Dynamic Duo selected Wilmot in goal, 4 at the back: Evans, Campbell, Townley and Naylor; 4 in the midfield: Keen, Challinor, Smith and Hollenbach; and up front: Martin and Crawshaw. On the bench: Moran, Brown, Gould, Sippets and Roberts. Injured for a week or so yet are Castle and De Souza. Back at Clarence Park was Oakes due to an administrative error (cock-up).
The Saints dominated this game from the start. Untroubled at the back, dominant in midfield, sharp and skilful up front. Harrow had little to offer in attack and fought a rearguard action for the most part throughout the game. Despite several promising chances, it was 30 minutes before City opened their account. A fine through ball from Challinor, one of many today, found Martin wide on the right, who crossed for Crawshaw to leap between two taller defenders and head home from 8 yards out. 0-1. Very well taken and Crawshaw's third in consecutive games. Certainly the visiting fans, and probably the home supporters, too, expected the floodgates to open. Not so. City continued to threaten but the single goal was on the scoreboard at half time.
City started the second half as they had finished the first. Within 15 minutes the game was wrapped up. First a Keen cross was powerfully headed home by Hollenbach, his first goal for the club. 0-2. Sippets came on for the tiring Keen and within a couple of minutes, accepted a pass from Challinor in the midfield, broke through, rounded the advancing keeper and crisply hit home from the right. A very well taken goal by a player who looks more confident with each outing. Gould came on for Evans and Brown for, I think Naylor. With 10 minutes or so remaining, Challinor found Martin 15 yards out with his back to goal (Martin's back, not Challinor's) who turned and despite the efforts of Gridelet to wrestle him to the ground, coolly beat the keeper with a firm drive. 0-4. F.T.
The Saints showed their skill and teamwork today and comprehensively outplayed a disappointing Harrow side. A hatfull of chances were created as a result of good, patient, quality football. The entire midfield will be delighted with their performance, dominating defence and attack. 4-0. It might have been 10. Harrow were very disappointing although they were without several key players today, in fairness. Man of the Match? For me Challinor or, once again Crawshaw.
Entertainment. 9/10. Atmosphere 6/10. Technical Merit 9/10. Referee 7/10.
Match report by Awayday |
