East Thurrock United 1-3 Harrow Borough
HARROW Borough edged within touching distance of the magical 50-point mark with a superb victory at East Thurrock United, writes Simon Grigor.
Dave Anderson’s Reds all but secured Ryman Premier safety with a 3-1 win over United and are now just two points shy of what is seen as the benchmark for safety.
Anthony Maissiat returned from his suspension, while Victor Osobu’s second-half display at Bognor last time out had earned him a starting berth.
Shaun Lucien and Daniel Dyer dropped to the bench. Ola Williams reverted to right-back, with Michael Barima playing wide on the right in midfield.
Harrow opened the scoring when Steve Butterworth produced a brilliant pass inside the defence to send Victor Osobu through, with the wide-man finding the far corner.
They were pegged back from the penalty spot when Danny Leech was penalised for a challenge and James Shead couldn’t keep out the spot kick.
Harrow got over the upset immediately, regaining the lead with a lovely goal in the 29th minute.
Marc Charles-Smith glanced the ball on to Butterworth, wide left. Despite two markers, he twisted and got the ball inside to Harold Odametey, who surged into the box and hit a low cross which Charles-Smith turned in at the near post.
Borough put the game to bed before half-time.
Butterworth challenged for Williams’s long free-kick into the box and the ball dropped for Jake Gilbert, who twisted and shot past Hughes’s left hand from the edge of the area.
Harrow return to Earlsmead on Saturday when Grays Athletic are the visitors.
REDS: James Shea, Ola Williams, Adam Louth, Jake Gilbert, Danny Leech, Anthony Maissiat (sub Rob Wolleaston, 76 mins), Michael Barima, Harold Odametey, Marc Charles-Smith (sub Ryan Debattista, 90 mins), Steve Butterworth, Victor Osobu (booked, 81 mins; sub Shaun Lucien, 82 mins).
Subs (not used): Daniel Dyer, Matt Cooper.
