2s avoid fireworks as Curry winner clinches vital 3 points
- November 2nd 2013, Philathletic Ground, 1:15pm
- Division 3
- Referee: Will Hoyle
- Weather: Drizzle, windy
- Pitch: Good
No. | Starting XI | Goals | Yellow & Red Cards | Subs On/Off |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Harry Turner | |||
2 | Arjun Chopra (c) | |||
3 | Will Orr-Ewing | 17' | ||
4 | Simon Maydon | |||
5 | Harry Woolley | 32'(p) | ||
6 | Joe Bone | |||
7 | Conti von Hirsch | 75' | ||
8 | Kamil Amin | 75' | ||
9 | Alex Cater | 38' | 70' | |
10 | Nick Bartlett | 65' | ||
11 | Max Curry | 83' | ||
Substitutes | ||||
12 | Ben Kerry | 30' |
The 2nd XI went into the game knowing nothing less than a win would do after losing 3 of their first 4 matches. With skipper Jack Orr-Ewing called up to the 1s and vice captain Dave Stead injured, the old guard Chopra and Woolley took the reigns for what turned out to be a thrilling victory.
Level terms were squandered after 15 minutes when an in-swinging Brentwood corner caught the wind and fell into a dangerous area. The chance was gladly gobbled up by the visitors and Harrow were left cursing at having been spooked by yet another set piece. Two minutes later, however, the home side found themselves up the other end - Cater launching a big throw to Kamil Amin at the front post who flicked acrobatically for Will Orr-Ewing to head home (his first goal for OHAFC).
At the half hour mark, Joe Bone was released down the right following a through ball from Chopra. The winger out paced the fullback and was subsequently brought down in the box. The Chairman of the Arthurian League, Will Hoyle, pointed to the spot. Woolley stepped up purposefully after declaring that he 'wanted it bad'. Cater couldn't watch. The Brentwood 'keeper made an excellent save but Woolley followed up to tuck in the rebound for his first goal in four years.
A third Harrow goal followed soon after - a good passing move found Cater with space at the edge of the box who fired into the bottom corner to make it 3-1. Brentwood fought back and got their reward after a fizzing shot caught Harry Turner by surprise and the slippery ball squirmed through his fingers for 3-2 just before the break. A shame for Turner after having made some good saves at 0-0 to keep the home side in it.
In the second half, the game was even. Harrow held firm at the back with Orr-Ewing W and Maydon communicating and clearing their lines well. Ben Kerry, Conti von Hirsch, Kamil Amin and Nick Bartlett got stuck in and made it difficult for the visitors to keep any meaningful possession. Brentwood should have had a man sent off on the hour mark after Max Curry was brought down when clean through on goal. Referee Hoyle brandished a yellow card for the challenge.
After the Essex crowd equalised from another corner on 70 minutes, Harrow heads dropped and looked vulnerable going into the final 20. However, man of the match, Max Curry, stepped up to clinch the win with a cool finish past the onrushing 'keeper - a fitting end for Curry who had worked tirelessly throughout the game as the lone striker. Bartlett, who injured his back in the build up, had to go off and receive attention but recovered in time to drive home.