Last season it took Harrow 11 games to reach the 9-point total in the league, achieving it in mid-October with a 2-2 draw at home to Swindon Supermarine. During those 11 games, Harrow conceded 29 goals.
After today’s convincing 3-0 win over Uxbridge, Harrow have reached 9 points from the first 3 games of the season and haven’t conceded a single goal. Yes – we are now a step lower, but this is still a remarkable turnaround. Aylesbury United are the only team from steps 1 – 4 that have also not yet conceded a league goal.
The Uxbridge side featured George Moore returning to Earlsmead for the first time as a visiting player. George was closing in on 300 appearances for Harrow when he departed at the end of the 22/23 season, with 80 goals for the Boro.
Harrow started where they left off against Guernsey 48 hours before. On the front foot from the start and playing some great football. Players are now building relationships on and off the pitch, which is clearly bearing fruit on it.
Stephan Langley nearly opened the scoring in the 5th minute, his near post header going inches wide. Harrow were denied an early contender for goal of the season in the 11th minute. Rapid passing involving several players from inside their own half ended with Leo Sery spinning away from his marker on the edge of the visitor box, receiving a pass from Jordan Hamilton-Olise before firing past Hassane, the Uxbridge keeper. The offside flag was raised, and the goal chalked off.
Sery wasn’t going to be denied for long. In the 24th minute, he combined with Hamilton-Olise again, who cut the ball back from the right side of the Uxbridge area for Leo to side-foot into the net from close to the penalty spot. Harrow got into a lot of decent positions but were unable to add to their lead. Uxbridge came back into the game as we neared half-time, with Okorogheye and Reece Robins both going close for the visitors.
Half Time: 1-0
Uxbridge made a couple of half-time subs to try and restrict Harrow going forward, but the game followed a similar pattern to the first half with Borough causing Uxbridge a lot of problems going forward. Harrow deservedly doubled their lead in the 58th minute. Carl Stewart won the ball inside the Harrow half. Javon Marquis played a perfectly weighted ball over the Uxbridge backline for Leo Sery to outpace and outmuscle Harry Hoath, before finishing right-footed under the advancing Hassane from inside the area.
Uxbridge were restricted to long-range efforts when they did have possession in the Harrow half. Those that were on target were dealt with easily by Andrew McCorkell.
Hamilton-Olise had a goal-bound effort blocked after ghosting past several defenders before he was replaced by Dan Williams.
It was Williams who played a big part in the final goal of the afternoon. Miskin’s ball behind the Uxbridge defence saw Williams taken out just inside the penalty area by a lunging tackle from Hassane. A penalty was rightly awarded. Despite Williams and Luwero playing rock, paper, scissors to decide who took the penalty, instructions were barked on from the dugout for Leo Sery to take the penalty. Leo completed his hat-trick, sending the visiting custodian the wrong way from the spot to the delight of his teammates and the home supporters.
Full Time: 3-0
The win moved Harrow to 2nd place in the league table, level on points and goal difference with Horndean – who are top on goals scored. This was a fine all-around performance from Harrow, especially following the travel to the Channel Islands less than 48 hours previously. Now is not the time to rest on their laurels, as football can easily bring you back down to earth with a bump.
Harrow Borough Starting XI:
- Andrew McCorkell
- Javon Marquis
- Bailey Lamb
- Carl Stewart ©
- Stephan Langley
- James Gurteen
- Deago Dunbar-Bonnie
- Harry McCorkell
- Jethro Odumosu
- Leo Sery
- Jordan Hamilton-Olise
Substitutes:
- Keegan Bloom
- Dan Williams
- Luke Ifil
- Mack Miskin
- Jeremiah Luwero
Brian Walter is a sports writer and former contributor to Harrow Online who specialised in covering Harrow Borough FC. His articles included full match reports, live coverage and analysis of games, providing supporters with detailed updates from across the club’s league and cup campaigns.
