Saturday 6th April 2024
Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South
Harrow Borough 2 Beaconsfield Town 1 Rogers Family Stadium Att - 160
Ram of the Match - Tom Norcott

Following their two wins over the Easter weekend The Rams arrived at The Rogers Family Stadium in good spirits, knowing that 3 points would be enough to secure Southern Premier South football for another year without having to rely on other results. Their hosts find themselves deep in the basement and the trapdoor is rapidly closing above them. They are fighting for all they’re worth though.

The Rams who have been excellent in the first half of late won the toss and elected to play with the strong breeze at their backs. Before completely failing to take any advantage from it.

This was a disjointed Rams opening, misplaced passes, poor decisions. In the face of an organised and committed Harrow team, Beaconsfield struggled to create a chance worthy of the name and steadfastly refused to try their luck with shots from distance despite the beginnings of storm Kathleen at their backs.

It was a day for a physical presence up front and neither side really had one.
Tom McElroy was busy and combative as ever but former Ram Reece Yorke and centre-back partner James Gurteen were seldom stretched.

Harrow’s Reece Mitchell had the home side’s best opening but the late arrival of Luke Neville did enough to rob the wideman shot of any power and it was easily collected by Tom Norcott in The Ram’s goal.

At the other end James Dobson was prominent and it was a trademark run and cross that brought the Rams the lead as his low-driven cross was deflected past Tyler Tobin by the outstretched leg of James Gurteen.

It was the sort of goal you concede when you're down the wrong end of the table and a little harsh on Harrow. To their credit, the Homeside responded well and were level in less than 5 minutes when Jacques Kpohomouh dithered in possession turned into trouble and attempted a lunging tackle, Reece Mitchell went to ground. Referee James Keane well placed was unmoved but his linesman further away and on the blind side of any contact stood flagging furiously. Without consultation of any kind the referee allowed himself to be overruled and gave the penalty.

Mitchell got up off the turf to narrowly beat Norcott who guessed right but the kick had just enough height to elude the young keeper’s dive.

Six minutes later it was The Rams whose luck ran out Excellence Muhemba found himself on the right wing faced by Luke Neville he made haldf a yard and aimed a cross which deflected off The Rams’ skipper and looped agonisingly over Norcott and dropped in at the far post.

The Rams attempted to rally but Tobin remained unbothered until the break.

 

Half time 2-1

Beaconsfield were considerably better in possession after the break, they moved the ball better and the passing was crisper but they still lacked a cutting edge. Having banged in goals from all directions last week at Hendon they were strangely shot-shy and there was much sideways passing.

When they did make space for crosses these were largely overhit, when a decent ball was delivered usually from Dobson, there were no Blue shirts in the area to capitalise.

Even when Dobson made space and put the ball on a plate for Zidan Akers the striker failed to make contact with the goal at his mercy.

Harrow were happy to sit in demand in numbers and hit on the break. Mitchell could and should have extended their lead on the hour when one one-on-one with Norcott the striker seemed caught in two minds. While he was picking one the young keeper dived full length at his feet to steal the ball.

Harlem Hale then missed the best chance of the game in the 87th minute, through on goal he elected to lift the ball over the rapidly advancing Norcott who made himself big. He successfully lifted the ball over Norcott but it carried on rising and cleared the bar by a distance.

Beaconsfield noodled around with lots of possession but created nothing to extend Tobin.

Harrow closed everything down, hunted in packs and used the wind at their back to good effect clearing their lines and forcing The Rams to start from deep.
On an afternoon with few high points Tom Norcoott stood out, particularly in the latter stages where he fulfilled the Manuel Neuer sweeper keeper role with confidence. His distribution was excellent and his composure was an example to some of those ahead of him. In between his handling was assured and when called upon he did everything that could be expected of him.

In the end with other results broadly in their favour and games running out the damage was limited but manager Jon Underwood will want to see improvement for the trip to Poole town next Saturday

All images ©Neale Blackburn Photography 2024

Match Facts -https://southern-football-league.co.uk/match/m/126814/squad/

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