Harrow surged to the top of the Southern League table with a 4-1 win away at Met Police that was really as emphatic as the scoreline suggests. Harrow had not conceded a goal in their opening three league fixtures before today.
This was brought to an abrupt end in the 8th minute. The swirling wind that played a part all afternoon held up a long ball on the edge of the Harrow area. James Gurteen’s attempted header back to Andrew McCorkell was weak, allowing Sid Gbia to nip between the two Harrow players and divert the ball into the net on the volley.
Harrow were level in the 13th minute with a contender for goal of the season. A Harrow corner is cleared to Mack Miskin, 35 yards from goal. The left-back takes a touch to set himself before firing a howitzer of a shot into the roof of the net. Max Foulkes, the Met keeper, clawing at thin air – the ball having already flown past him.
Harrow then dominated the rest of the game and would have been disappointed not to have gone in front before the half-time interval. Leo Sery and Jethro Odumosu were causing havoc up front, ably supported by wing-backs Miskin and Javon Marquis, constantly raiding the flanks.
Miskin, Harry McCorkell, and Odumosu all had headed chances that they couldn’t keep on target. Kelvin Boampong missed a gilt-edged chance for the hosts, following a misplaced pass from James Gurteen.
Half time: 1-1
Harrow started the second half with the gusting wind now blowing in their faces. This actually played in their favour. With balls behind the Met defence holding up, it gave Sery and Odumosu more opportunities to utilise their pace.
Odumosu had a great chance to put Harrow ahead straight from the restart. Outpacing the Met defence, he carried the ball into the penalty area before getting the ball caught between his feet as he was about to shoot. It was Jethro again who had the next chance for Harrow. This time he got his shot off, but Foulkes was able to save with his legs, the ball deflecting behind for a corner.
Harrow were having to deal with a lot of long balls towards the edge of their own area – wind-assisted. Gurteen, Lamb, Langley, and Garnett – when he came on – all stood firm, repelling every threat that was thrown at them.
Harrow finally got the goal they richly deserved in the 67th minute. Jordan Hamilton-Olise was brought down inside the Met area by a reckless challenge. Leo Sery fired the resulting penalty home, high to the keeper’s left.
Met threw players forward in search of what would have been a very unjust equaliser. As we entered added time, Leo Sery set Jordan Hamilton-Olise away with a well-weighted pass beyond the tired Met defence. Jordan carried the ball into the area, shifted the ball onto his left foot, before clipping the ball into the net over the advancing Foulkes. It got even better for Harrow in the third minute of added time.
Jeremiah Luwero, taking the ball from inside his own half to the edge of the Met area, passed to Hamilton-Olise a few yards to his right. Jordan set himself with his first touch before curling a delicious shot beyond the outstretched hand of Foulkes. The ball clipped the inside of the far post before nestling in the back of the net to complete a 4-1 victory.
The Harrow playing squad and backroom team high-fived and shook hands with the supporters who had made the journey to Surrey. The last time that Harrow topped the league table after four games, they lost their next fixture 6-0 at Hendon. Ben Bulkowski and his staff will be keen to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself.
Harrow travel to Sevenoaks this Saturday, 7th September, in the FA Trophy.
Harrow Borough:
- Andrew McCorkell
- Javon Marquis
- Bailey Lamb
- Carl Stewart ©
- Stephan Langley
- James Gurteen
- Mack Miskin
- Harry McCorkell
- Jethro Odumosu
- Leo Sery
- Dan Williams
Subs:
12. Deago Dunbar-Bonnie
14. Jordan Hamilton-Olise
15. Addison Garnett
16. Luke Ifil
17. Jeremiah Luwero
Ref: Simon Fares
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.
