Harrow moved five points clear at the top of the Isthmian South Central table with a 2-0 win over the most local of local rivals – Rayners Lane. The visitors arrived at Earlsmead having drawn their opening three league games, which has resulted in the club sacking their manager, Gary Meakin – a former Harrow player.
The game kicked off with torrential rain swirling around the ground. This was real football weather at last. Both sides didn’t hold back with tackles flying in from the first minute. Harrow went ahead in the 6th minute. Carl Stewart’s corner from the Borough left resulted in the visiting custodian, Ravan Constable, punching the ball into a defender directly in front of him. The ball then rebounded through the keeper’s legs and into the net for an own goal.
Rayners Lane were nearly level only two minutes later. Lucias Vine intercepted Stewart’s wayward back pass, but Andrew McCorkell came to his captain’s rescue, palming the attempted lob away to safety. The visitors were dominating possession, but it was Harrow who were creating the most chances. Jordan Hamilton-Olise had two chances to extend the lead, first attempting to pass when well-placed to shoot in the 11th minute. When he did shoot from a similar position in the 38th minute, his shot lacked the power to trouble Constable.
The second half began with the visitors keeping possession for the first few minutes but never looked like breaching the well-marshalled Harrow back line. Harrow had the first real chance of the second period when Leo Sery opted to square the ball to Jethro Odumosu instead of taking a shot. Rayners Lane pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Andrew McCorkell made a brilliant save to his right from Vine’s snap shot, with Javon Marquis scrambling the loose ball away to safety. McCorkell was called into action again a few minutes later, saving from point-blank range after Callum Webb escaped his marker from a left-sided corner.
Harrow were soaking up pressure and happy to play on the counter-attack. Harry McCorkell, who was named Harrow’s man of the match, did well to clear a dangerous cross from the left as the game entered its last ten minutes. In the 85th minute, Harrow grabbed the all-important second goal. Deago Dunbar-Bonnie curled a left-footed free kick in from the right touchline. Leo Sery made a run to the front post that froze Constable to the spot. Sery couldn’t get his head to the ball, but to the delight of the 254 people present, the ball bounced a few yards from goal before kissing the inside of the far post and nestling in the back of the net. Dunbar-Bonnie was mobbed by his ecstatic teammates as the Harrow fans celebrated the goal, which sealed a club-record fifth consecutive win to start the season.
Harrow saw out the remaining time without alarm and have only conceded one goal in their five league games this season. This is a remarkable turnaround from the 15 goals conceded in the opening five games last season. League leaders Harrow travel to newly promoted Farnham Town on Saturday for a first-ever fixture between the sides. It will be a true test of Harrow’s mettle, as Farnham has ploughed a lot of money into their squad with financial backing from YouTube celebrities. A blank Saturday follows on Sept 21st before a home league cup fixture at Earlsmead on Tuesday 24th.
Harrow Borough Lineup:
- Andrew McCorkell
- Javon Marquis
- Bailey Lamb
- Carl Stewart (C)
- Stephan Langley
- James Gurteen
- Deago Dunbar-Bonnie
- Harry McCorkell
- Jethro Odumosu
- Leo Sery
- Jordan Hamilton-Olise
Used Subs: Keegan Bloom & Luke Ifil
Unused Subs: Dan Williams, Jeremiah Luwero & Keegan Cole
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.
