Saturday 3rd December 2011
HARINGEY BOROUGH 1 ROYSTON TOWN 2 (FA Carlsberg Vase – 3rd Round)
Borough’s run of six consecutive victories finally came to an end in what was their biggest game for some years as they were eliminated from the FA Carlsberg Vase. Despite enjoying the majority of possession and creating by far the greater number of chances it was the visitors who showed the importance of clinical finishing when their fewer opportunities presented themselves. Borough started brightly and Roland Namquita headed an early chance wide and then clipped the top of the cross bar with a dipping shot from the edge of the area, although had it gone in an off-side flag would have cut short the celebrations.
“The Crows” were creating few chances of their own but took a lead after 37 minutes with their first real chance as Tom Malins bundled in a cross-cum-shot at the far post after Borough had given the ball away in midfield. Borough needed to be at their very best to make progress but unfortunately although they did not play poorly their performance was way below that of the first 45 minutes a fortnight earlier which had swept Tring Athletic aside in the previous round. Will Norris in the Royston goal was kept busy and was a major factor in Borough’s blank sheet by half time although the Borough finishing had not been as sharp as in recent previous games.
Royston started the second half in determined fashion but the Borough defence dealt capably enough with the pressure but were unsettled by a 71st minute penalty which they considered to be harshly awarded and which ultimately led to the dismissal of Demetri Stratis for dissent after two yellow cards. Although Nick Christofi made a fine diving save to push the low spot kick past his right hand post composure had been lost and only three minutes later Royston doubled their lead when Malins rose unchallenged to direct a downward header of a ball driven in from the left back across Christofi and low into the corner.
Borough had wasted several half chances with Darrell Cox twice thwarted by Norris in “one-on-ones” and Richard Worrell’s hard low drive from the edge of the penalty area was well gathered by Norris. Borough pressed forward ever more urgently with nothing now to lose and were rewarded with a penalty for hand ball which finally enabled Norris to be beaten as Worrell drove the spot kick hard and low to his right. With eight minutes left, Borough mounted a determined late surge which, although handicapped by the red card reduction, certainly caused some concern to the visiting defence but they were unable to fashion any clear cut opportunities. Royston had two good opportunities to make the game safe but failed to get their efforts on target, the last one being a free header sent over in the dying seconds of stoppage time.
Borough Squad:- Nick CHRISTOFI, Charles DOUSE, Demetri STRATIS, Dewayne CLARKE, Nick NICOU, Rickelle CHRISTIAN Roland NAMQITA (Dean MASON) , Guy KOFFI (Christopher BENJAMIN), Richard WORRELL, Darrell COX, Christopher MORGAN (Dean FENTON) Unused Subs:- Andreas LOIZOU, Ryohei TAMAI (GK) Next Saturday, 10th December, Borough visit TRING ATHLETIC for a League game – hoping to repeat their recent FA Vase win at The Grass Roots Stadium and on Tuesday 13th AYLESBURY UNITED visit Coles park (7.45pm) also in the League
