SOUTHEN MANOR 0 HARINGEY BOROUGH 0
Saturday 15th March 2014 – Essex Senior League
Rarely can a team have so dominated a match from start to finish yet failed to find the net. Many think that Borough did score at least once, the first occasion being after some fifteen minutes play when a powerful shot by Lawrence Constanti from the edge of the penalty area appeared to hit the net support inside the top of the far post as well as bouncing down over the line but it was not the view of the Assistant referee who had the difficult decision to make without the aid of technology or video replays. Little was seen of the home side as an attacking threat although Andreas Loizou did well as he raced across from right back to perform a saving “get it right or get a red card” interception as a striker raced clear down the inside-right channel. Five minutes from the interval the ball reached an unmarked Darrell Cox on the middle of the six yard line but he smashed it against the underside of the bar and there was again room for doubt in many minds, but not in that of the decision maker, that it too bounced down over the line. The second half was totally one-sided as Borough launched wave after wave of attacks which foundered on the massed ranks of the home defence in front of a competent goalkeeper who was in frequent action but never required to produce anything particularly spectacular. Corner followed corner with several near misses the only outcome. The bar saved Manor again ten minutes into the half when Dean Fenton’s free kick dipped over the wall and rebounded to safety. As time ticked away Borough became ever more urgent and risked being caught by a quick breakaway as defenders joined the onslaught but the home defence was under too much pressure to produce accurate long balls for strikers to run on to and throughout the match Borough ‘keeper Austin Byfield never looked to be at any risk of conceding. The gritty and determined home performance, while hardly attractive, was certainly effective and as exciting for the home support as it was frustrating for Borough. The venom and precision recently in evidence in Borough’s finishing which had brought 17 goals in their previous 4 games, was sadly missing while their approach play was somewhat repetitive in nature and lacked unpredictability or a change of direction.
Borough squad:- Austin BYFIELD, Andreas LOIZOU, CEDRIC LAKOLE,
Ashley FASHANU, Joseph O’CEARUILL, Daniel WALKER
Patou KATSHENGE , Stephen OBENG, Dean FENTON, Darrell COX
Lawrence CONSTANTI
Substitutes Used:- Anthony McDONALD, Charles DOUSE, Rakim RICHARDS
Unused Substitutes:- Christopher CORDARA-SOANES Ashley HARRIS (GK)
On Tuesday 18th Borough entertain Barking at Coles Park (7.45pm) and then travel to Mayesbrook park to meet them again on Thursday 20th (7.45pm) . Joint leaders Tower Hamlets visit Coles Park on Saturday 22nd after which Borough will be travelling to Hullbridge Sports on Monday 24th (7.45pm) with Stansted then coming to Coles park on Thursday 27th (7.45pm)
