RYMAN PREMIER LEAGUE: Hendon 1 Harrow Borough 2
Butterworth (pictured) burst clear to seal victory as Borough came from behind to ensure step three football next season, but the night was somewhat over shadowed by a serious injury to Michael Peacock who was stretchered off in the first half and later taken to hospital with a suspected broken ankle.
For Hendon this was the second Monday night running they had led until late on only to lose in added time – a telling illustration of why their bid for the playoffs is now destined to come up short.
Borough’s side showed four changes from Saturday’s home defeat to AFC Hornchurch with Danny Dyer, Jake Gilbert, Shaun Lucien and Ryan Debattista earning call-ups to the starting XI.
Rob Wolleaston, Butterworth and Michael Barima all dropped to the bench while Harold Odametey was ruled out with the injury sustained against the Urchins.
There were few openings early on with David Diedhiou’s header and Leon Smith’s shot straight at James Shea the only chances for the hosts, while Borough, who had to occupy the away dressing-room on home turf saw Lucien curl one narrowly over.
Peacock’s problems came on 28 minutes as he crumpled to the floor seconds after making a routine clearance.
It was immediately clear the big defender was in distress and a stretcher was summoned. It was later revealed he had heard a crack as he hit the ground and his night ended with a visit to hospital.
Strangely it was Borough who responded better to the interruption as they went on to dominate the remainder of the half.
Impressive teenager Debattista drew a fine save from Joe McDonnell before Lucien teed up Adam Louth for a fierce drive which flew inches wide.
Victor Osobu then saw another effort deflected wide and from his corner stalwart defender Danny Leech came closest of all to breaking the deadlock with a thunderous header against the bar.
Half time though changed everything as the Greens emerged a different side after the break meaning Borough keeper Shea was soon busy.
A quickly taken free-kick on 52 minutes caught Borough’s back four napping allowing Smith a clear sight of goal, but Shea stayed big to block the effort and when the ball was recycled to the right the ex-Arsenal keeper recovered his feet to tip over Chris Seeby’s dangerous cross.
The resulting set-piece was only half cleared giving Michael Bryan the chance from a tight angle but Shea was there once more to save with his legs.
The pressure told though just before the hour when the Borough back four were again caught square by a ball over the top which allowed Smith to slide the ball beyond Shea and walk it into an empty net.
Shea led vocal appeals for offside but to no avail.
Barima replaced Lucien and Marc Charles-Smith cut inside to fire over, but it was an isolated threat as a second for Hendon continued to look more likely and Borough were grateful to Shea again on 68 minutes for a diving save which thwarted Anthony Thomas.
The save proved crucial as six minutes later Borough were level.
As they had done in defeat to Hampton seven days earlier Hendon seemed to retreat into their shell following a purple patch and they paid the price when a flowing move involving Barima saw the ball find Osobu on the right of the area and he turned sharply to lash the ball past McDonnell.
The winger came close to repeating the dose two minutes later, while Debattista drove another effort inches wide with McDonnell beaten.
Three late changes by Gary McCann for Hendon saw Jose Figura on from the bench and the youngster set up fellow substitute Michael Murray for a cracking shot just wide before going close himself with another shot which produced a photographer’s save from Shea.
However, deep in stoppage-time it was Borough who stole the points when Butterworth seized on a loose ball on halfway and sprinted clear of the cover before lifting his shot over the advancing McDonnell.
Not quite the impact of their only Ryman League title win secured 30 years ago to the day, but a welcome win never the less.
