MIDDLESEX SENIOR CUP ROUND 2

Staines Town 1

Harrow Borough 0 AET

Danny Leech’s 400th appearance Harrow Borough red ended in brave defeat as they bowed out of the county cup at holders Staines on Tuesday night, writes Simon Grigor.

The defensive stalwart, who has long been the sole survivor of pre-Dave Anderson days as boss marshalled his defence superbly against the Conference south outfit in the fog at Wheatsheaf Park, only for Borough to be sunk by a stroke of ill-luck in extra time.

Staines were the better side early on, with James Shea saving first from Ngamvoulou, Akinsanya, who broke forward to shoot across goal, and then Jordan Brown’s header.

The hosts came closest to scoring when, from a right-wing cross, Dan Brown connected with a first time effort that whistled inches wide of the target.

Shaun Lucien had already shot wide for Harrow when he tested Kyle Merson with a shot after being fed by Simeon Akinola’s header.

A Staines defender then headed James Fray’s cross off Robert Hastings’s head, Steve Butterworth collecting the loose ball and shooting wide.

Lucien and Saheed Sankoh were also shot off target as the first half ended.

Shea tipped aside Robson’s early second half effort before Harrow enjoyed a fine spell of pressure, which culminated in Michael Barima getting to the by-line and, from his cross, Akinola’s deft flick brought an excellent low save from Merson.

The home keeper was then tested again, going full-length to his right to turn away Adam Louth’s free-kick.

Akinola glanced a header wide from Louth’s cross while at the other end, Dan Brown’s shot was deflected over, and Shea saved first from Sanchez Ming and then Joey Robson.

Brandon Horner replaced Akinola with 12 minutes of normal time left and immediately played an astute ball to Fray, who shot over before  Barima made another fine surge forward and set up Lucien for an effort that was blocked.

Louth was having a superb game and amid his runs forward, made a great defensive interception to stop swans’ substitute Erivalso Felix settling matters before the additional half an hour.

Shea too punched clear under heavy pressure in virtually the last incident of the 90, but he was to enjoy less fortune just three minutes into the first extra-time period as Staines bagged what proved to be the winner.

Ryan Parsons blocked Sebastian Czapa’s shot Czapa’s, but Ngamvoulou tried his luck with a dipping drive from 20 yards.  The ball came down and out off the underside of the bar, but hit poor Shea on the back, and went in for an own goal.

Joe Hughes nearly doubled the Swans’ lead when he cut in from the right and hit a shot that came back off the post – missing Shea on this occasion.

The ex-Arsenal youngster saved from Dan Brown before Harrow pressed hard for the goal that would have taken the tie to spot-kicks.

Horner floated a left-foot effort past the far post, while Calum Willock turned sharply at the end of a good move but saw his shot blocked.

Parsons curled another shot over and the best chance of all fell to the inrushing Willock, who opened up his body to meet a Louth cross on the run, but directed the ball wide of the far post.

Despite the defeat Borough should draw confidence from their display – confidence which will be needed when the battle for league points recommences with the visit of Bury Town to Earlsmead on Saturday.