Report: Brian Walter

Remember, remember the 5th of November.

419 years, to the exact day that Edward and Elizabeth’s son Guy was caught guarding a stockpile of gunpowder that was intended to blow up parliament – though these days the same amount of explosives seems to be packed into a solitary firework, that is only allowed to be set off between 2am and 3am on a weekday. Harrow hosted Hampton and Richmond in a Middx Senior Cup tie. The sides had last met this same week back in 2021, in the same competition. Harrow were brushed aside 4-1 on the road in TW12. This game coming three days after Harrow had narrowly lost 1-0 at Portsmouth in the FA cup in front of 500 travelling fans. The magic of the cup certainly didn’t extend to the Middx Senior Cup that night, with 95% of the supporters who went to Portsmouth choosing Bake Off over Steve Baker.

This was Harrow’s 5th Tuesday game in the last 6 weeks and with fixtures scheduled for the next two Tuesday nights as well, that’s a lot of football for full time professionals, let alone semi pros. Injuries had started to affect the Harrow squad and reinforcements arrived before the game. Two central midfielders had been signed on Monday and were thrust into the starting lineup. Tyrese Osbourne – who played against Harrow for Sutton Common Rovers earlier in the season, and Dhilan Kullar who has played for Leamington and University of Warwick. Google also revealed that Dhilan is a male model. Harrow trying to tap into the local ladies’ market? This was tried before back in the late 90s when Bob ‘Adonis’ Dowie was player manager. I don’t remember crowds increasing back then, but you don’t know unless you try.

The players were accompanied onto the pitch by the sights and sounds of fireworks going off in the local area and an acrid smell in the air that left a bitter taste in the throat. Though I’m sure this batch of bread pudding was just a one-off.

Before the game could start there was a bizarre delay. The visitors’ Gianni Crichlow deciding that he wouldn’t be able to start the game as both sides were lined up to kick off. He was replaced by Marcus Rogers. Hampton were not happy that referee Mr Griffin would not allow them to name another substitute as the game had not officially started. They would have had plenty of choice if Mr Griffin had allowed their request.

The Hampton first team squad that were not taking part in the game had travelled to Earlsmead and indulged in a training session on the pitch before the game. I doubt the groundsman was impressed by this. Last Tuesday at Hayes, as is always the case when you visit them, the players including keepers from both teams had to warm up on the 3g pitch behind the clubhouse. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hayes have snipers positioned on top of the water tower behind the unusable stand – just in case an opposing player attempts to set foot on the hallowed turf before kick-off.

Harrow attacked the school end in the first half. Good work from debutant Tyrese Osbourne in the 4th minute gave Leo Sery a sight of goal. Leo was crowded out by several defenders before he could get a shot off.

The game was quite physical from the start, with both teams fully committed. Callum O’Keeffe tried his luck from 20 yards in the 5th minute. Andrew McCorkell saving well to his right. Play then had to be stopped as both Leo Sery and James Gurteen had gone down injured and required treatment.

Jethro Odumosu looked sharp all night and created Harrow’s first real chance in the 7th minute. His run to the byline on the left ended with a low cross to the front post. Sery seeing his attempt blocked by a defender. Possession was regained by Harrow on the edge of the area. Good work from Osbourne and Kullar nearly created another chance, but the ball was scrambled away.

Harrow were playing quite a high line. Hagan appeared to have got free behind the Harrow defence in the 12th minute. Addison Garnett making up ground and winning the ball back with a quality tackle. Sorondo drove into the Harrow area shortly afterwards, but was crowded out before he could test McCorkell.

Harrow were moving the ball accurately and with pace in the Hampton half. Defenders not given the chance to settle as the movement off the ball from the Harrow players was back to where it should be. Harrow forced several corners, and it became apparent from the first of them that the visitors’ young keeper, Ulka Ziger, didn’t like the ball delivered under the bar with Garnett, Gurteen and Bailey Lamb in close proximity. Gurteen’s near post flick header from Deago Dunbar-Bonnie’s left footed corner in the 17th minute forced Ziger to palm the ball away acrobatically, before the ball was hacked clear from inside the six yard box.

Harrow won a free kick 30 yards from goal in the 20th minute. Leo Sery fouled after Tyrese had won the ball in the centre circle with a powerful header. James Gurteen’s shot was miscued and easily blocked by the Hampton wall.

The step 2 visitors then came inches away from taking the lead in the 23rd minute. Charles Hagan timed his run behind the Harrow defence to perfection and was bearing down on goal 15 yards outside the penalty area. McCorkell was already on the edge of the area, so was forced to wait for Hagan to bring the ball into the area and hope he wasn’t lobbed. Hagan hit a low shot past the Harrow keeper from the edge of the box. The ball hitting the base of McCorkell’s right post before rebounding back towards the edge of the six yard box. The Harrow keeper rather casually waiting for the ball to get to him, finally smothered the ball a millisecond before a Hampton player could toe poke the ball into the empty net.

Leo Sery was still struggling with the injury he picked up early on and had to limp off in the 27th minute. Replaced by Kai Hamilton-Olise. Hopefully it’s not a serious injury and Leo will be fit sooner than later. It was heartening in these days of skullduggery to see the Hampton management team also concerned about Leo. Going as far as to 'check how he was' in the car park after the game.

Jethro did superbly well to rob Isaac Brown in possession and was then brought down by Brown as he advanced with the ball. Brown getting yellow for his efforts. Addison Garnett was the first Harrow player cautioned in the 34th minute for a robust challenge in the centre circle. Odumosu’s through ball in the 37th minute looked to have set Kai in on goal. The pass was just too far in front of him and Ziger was able to smother at his feet. The same pairing combined again in the 42nd minute. This time the ball was well weighted, and Kai was able to get a shot on goal from the ride side of the penalty area. Ziger saving with his legs. The ball going behind for a corner.

Harrow had a scare a minute later. A ball over the top. McCorkell coming out of his area to clear the danger slipped over. Bailey Lamb cooly dealing with situation as the sides finished the first half all square.

Half time 0-0

The second half was only 4 minutes old when James Gurteen was forced off, still feeling the effects from his injury in the 5th minute. Mack Miskin coming on to replace him. Hampton had a good five minute spell shortly after this. McCorkell racing to clear outside of his area, Kristian Campbell flashing a ball low, across the six yard box and Addison Garnett forced into a full stretch deflection from a right sided cross. McCorkell relieved to catch the ball unchallenged under his crossbar.

Harrow’s set pieces were still looking the most likely way for the deadlock to be broken. Ziger flapping at several crosses. The ball always seeming to end up at the feet of a defender post flap.

Bailey Lamb had a good chance in the 66th minute. Dunbar-Bonnie’s free kick from the left saw Bailey escape his marker and get a free header on goal from close to the penalty spot. He was unable to keep the ball down and it flew over the bar. A minute later and Hampton took the lead. Hampton were awarded a free kick on the right edge of the Harrow box. Campbell swung the ball in left footed to the near post where Isaac Brown made no mistake with a downward header that gathered pace after hitting the turf and flew into the net to McCorkell’s left. 0-1.

Harrow found the extra gear that was missing on Saturday at Kingstonian and pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Jordan Hamilton-Olise came on in the 75th minute and immediately added another dimension to the Harrow attack. Marcus Rogers long range cross hit the top of the Harrow bar, but it was the hosts who were in command. The Hamilton-Olise brothers, Odumosu and Wynter were constantly running at the tiring Hampton defenders in and around the visitor’s area. Harrow were handed a lifeline in the 83rd minute by Mr Griffin. Jordan had the ball on the left edge of the Hampton area and attempted to dribble past Offi Sorondo. Jordan stumbled as he hurdled over Sorondo’s attempted block. Mr Griffin blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. There are soft penalties and then there are ones like this… No Harrow player or supporter appealed. However, nor did any of the Hampton defenders in the vicinity. Dernell Wynter (who played for Harrow in the game 3 years ago) stepped up and sent Ziger the wrong way from the spot. 1-1.

A minute later and Jethro burst into the box where he was felled by a challenge from Matthews. This time every Harrow player and supporter appealed. Mr Griffin deciding that this was not a penalty. Having been on the right side of a wrong decision a minute earlier, Harrow couldn’t really complain.

Jamie Kennedy came on for his Harrow debut in the 88th minute. It’s always good to see a player making the step up from the Under 23s into the first team and he had enough time to show glimpses of why he has progressed into the first team squad. Harrow were dominating and Hampton clinging on Frank Bruno style as the game went into stoppage time. Both Hamilton-Olise’s going close to winning it. Kai’s shot from close range deflected inches wide for a corner, he then sett up Jordan for a shot that was again deflected behind. Hampton were definitely on the ropes and would have been the happier side to hear the final whistle after five minutes of added time had been played.

Full time 1-1.

Straight to penalties, again.

Hampton went first. McCorkell smartly saving Sorondo’s penalty to his right. Jethro then put Harrow ahead, Ziger getting a solid hand to his penalty, but unable to stop the ball from tricking in via the inside of the left post.

McCorkell then saved Jerry Wiltshire’s penalty that was hit straight down the middle. Ziger saved Bailey Lamb’s penalty low to his right and Harrow led 1-0 after 2 penalties each.

O’Keeffe drew Hampton level with their third penalty, high to McCorkell’s right. Tyrese Osbourne crashed his penalty off the bar to make it 1-1 after 3 penalties.

Marcus Rogers and Mack Miskin both scored their penalties to the keepers left. 2-2 after 4 penalties.

We were now at sudden death.

As the saying goes ‘they don’t make things like they used to’. Laces used to be sturdy, hardwearing and stayed tied. Andrew McCorkell really needs to write a stern letter to whoever makes his boots, as for the third penalty shootout in the last 6 weeks – his laces came undone, and he was forced to take his boots off before putting them back on and retie his laces. This forced Isaac Brown to wait a very long time before he could put the ball on the spot for his penalty. The sight of the Harrow keeper kicking his gloves back towards his goal line before slowly putting them back on like OJ Simpson trying on a leather glove, even had Harrow supporters in the main stand urging the referee to book him. The delay didn’t put Brown off, and he scored with ease to the keepers right. McCorkell then took Harrow’s fifth and levelled it up at 3-3. His laces surviving the impact with the ball on this occasion.

Finn McGreevy and Jordan Hamilton-Olise both scored to make it 4-4 after 6 penalties each.

Adam Ryan was next up for Hampton. Shirt pulled up over the chin, a clear giveaway that he wasn’t confident. Sure enough, his penalty was ballooned over the bar to the delight of the Harrow faithful. Addison Garnett strolled up to take the potential winning penalty. He looked confident from the main stand. The smart money was on him drilling the ball through the keeper and the net with both ball and keeper ending up in the front bar. Instead, he delicately clipped his penalty to Ziger’s right. The keeper going to his left. The net rippled. Harrow had won their third penalty shootout in 6 weeks – all of them by a score of 5-4.

Harrow have discovered a German style efficiency when it come to penalties. It won’t be long before the supporters will be singing ‘Harrow, Harrow uber alles’ in the bar after the game.

The win puts Harrow into the quarter finals. Opponents as yet unknown. It’s back to league action on Saturday when league leaders Farnham are the visitors to Earlsmead.

Harrow Borough: Andrew McCorkell, Keegan Bloom, Bailey Lamb, Dhilan Kullar, Addison Garnett, James Gurteen ©, Deago Dunbar-Bonnie, Tyrese Osbourne, Dernell Wynter, Leo Sery, Jethro Odumosu.

Subs: Kai Hamilton-Olise on for Sery 27 mins. Mack Miskin on for Gurteen 49 mins. Luke Ifil on for Kullar 54 mins. Jordan Hamilton-Olise on for Dunbar-Bonnie 75 mins. Jamie Kennedy on for Wynter 88 mins.

Yellow Cards: Garnett 34 mins.

Hampton & Richmond: Luka Ziger, Isaac Brown, Kristian Campbell, Odei Sorondo ©, Miles Matthews, Callum O’Keeffe, Alex Wall, George Hunt, Charles Hagan, Gianni Critchlow, Jerry Wiltshire.
Subs: Marcus Rogers on for Critchlow 1 min. Finn McGreevy on for Hagan 62 mins. Ollie King on for Campbell 69 mins. Nick Bostan on for Hunt 69 mins.

Referee: Conor Griffin
Attendance: 64
Weather: Dry 55f