HARRISON Farrell turned out to be the brightest spot during a tough afternoon for Hillingdon Borough on Saturday.
Playing a side of triallists sprinkled with the odd regular first-team member, Borough were thrashed 7-1 by Chalfont St Peter on the 3G pitch at The Middlesex Stadium, in Breakspear Road, Ruislip, on Saturday.
However, Farrell seized the opportunity to catch the eye of joint boss Jason O’Connor, with his exciting display down the right-hand side, putting one cross on a plate for Marvin Lombow, only to see the striker miss with the goal gaping in front of him.
It was enough to persuade O’Connor to sign the teenager ahead of the new campaign.
“Harrison was a stand-out player for us today,” he said.
“He is only 18, fresh out of college and still has a lot to learn, but I like his attitude and he is good on the ball.
“He would be in the group who would be in the 12-16 of my squad and who we would look to give a few run-outs to see how they develop. He is not the only youngster like that, as we think we have identified five or six who could be ready for their first taste of men’s football.”
O’Connor feels the new breed joining last year’s established players, all of whom have signed on again, may be more adaptable to the changes of formation and tactics he intends to employ this season, in a bid to stay ahead of opponents as long as possible.
He added: “If we can change formation and shape during a game, it gives you that window of opportunity to do something to the opposition before they figure out what you are up to.
“Younger players may adapt a bit quicker to those changes. Hopefully, they are sponges who can soak it up, take it on board and go out and deliver it.”
