Stead screamer marred by Marlborough defeat

Old Marlburians 1st XI
3 : 1
Old Harrovians 2nd XI
  • April 27th 2013, South Park, 1pm
  • Division 3
  • Referee: Ron Large
  • Weather: Sunny, breezy
  • Pitch: Poor
No. Starting XI Goals Yellow & Red Cards Subs On/Off
1 David Griffiths
2 Phil Berry
3 Jack Orr-Ewing
4 Simon Maydon
5 Jonathan Best 85'
6 Spencer Crawley 60'
7 John Portal
8 Ed Arghebant 80'
9 Alex Cater 70'
10 Hugo Trower 65'
11 David Stead 28' 78'
Substitutes
12 Max Curry 35'
13 Harry Woolley 45'
14 Arjun Chopra 80'

Harrow started brilliantly and startled Marlborough with a high tempo and a determined attitude all over the pitch. However, another poor surface made it difficult to play an effective passing game. After half an hour, Stead found some space 30 yards out and smashed a bobbling ball into the roof of the Marlborough net, the 'keeper with no chance. A truly fantastic strike. 1-0. Elsewhere some equally impressive defensive work was being carried out by the back four of Berry, Maydon, Orr-Ewing and Best with Arghebant, Portal and Crawley working hard just in front of them.

20 minutes into the second half, Harrow began to tire and the Marlborough midfield (halted so effectively in the first period) began to pull the strings. An unfortunate ricochet on the line saw the home side draw level with a second following soon after when their no.9 spun and swivelled his way past Maydon to calmly finish through the legs of the onrushing Griffiths.

Harrow continued to attack and pressurise the Marlborough defence and were unlucky when Curry was clearly manhandled in the opposition box on 80 minutes, the referee unmoved. The home side sealed the victory 5 minutes from time after a curling cross was headed in at the far post.

After the game, tributes were paid to Chopra and the Woolley's who have collectively carried the team over the past 9 seasons.

Tea was held in the Hurlingham Pub. A "wery spicy" chilli con carne was served which proved too much for Trower... who paused periodically to sip water backwards from his glass in a desperate attempt to stifle his hiccups.

The 2s eagerly await the result of Marlborough vs King's Wimbledon next Saturday knowing a draw or a Marlborough win will retain safety.