RYMAN PREMIER LEAGUE
Harrow 0
Kingstonian 0
HARROW Borough’s quest for a first league win goes on despite an impressive showing in a goalless draw with high-flying Kingstonian at Earlsmead last night.
The visitors arrived as league leaders and nursing a 100 per cent record, but with Simeon Akinola in rampant form out on the left Borough put them on the rack in a dominant first 45 minutes, hitting the woodwork and having another effort scrambled away from almost on the line.
Inevitably, the massive effort of the first half and the loss of centre-back Michael Peacock to a calf injury told on Dave Anderson’s side who were hemmed in for much of the second period.
But despite substitute Andre McCollin striking the woodwork late on Borough showed more resolve than in Saturday’s defeat to Margate and the point gained was the very least they deserved.
The reds, showing just one change to Saturday’s line-up – Jordan Berry replacing Daniel Llacer who dropped to the bench – tore into their south London rivals from the opening whistle.
Just four minutes had elapsed when Shaun Lucien drove a ball across from the right just inches too far in front of the marauding Akinola, who soon cut inside again to unleash a shot parried behind by Rob Tolfrey.
Lucien also poked an effort over, while Leroy Griffiths was proving a handful for the Ks defence.
Their reward almost came on 17 minutes when Rob Wolleaston was fouled by Matt Drage and from the free-kick Danny Leech’s initial shot was blocked while Michael Peacock’s follow-up header looked destined for the net until headed clear from near the line.
Michael Barima headed behind from a rare attack by the visitors, but the red shirts were soon pouring forward again, Akinola teeing up Sankoh for a shot well wide.
Danny Leech was the first man in the book for a late challenge on Matt Pattison after 27 minutes, yet several other fouls, including one which contributed to Peacock’s injury were left unpunished by the lady referee in charge.
Borough continued to carry the fight and another surging run by Akinola played in Wolleaston, but a brilliant last ditch tackle rescued Ks.
The hosts were closer still on 32 minutes when Akinola found a yard of space on the left of the box to fire a shot which beat Tolfrey but clipped the top of the bar.
The young Spanish speaking centre-forward was lighting up the game and 10 minutes from the break left three defenders for dead to sprint into the box, but the shot lacked the power to really test Tolfrey.
Kingstonian boss alan Dowson threw on Andre McCollin on format Sumner at the break and it was the cue for a very different 45 minutes.
Ryan Moss heading narrowly wide within a minute of the restart and though Akinola flashed a header wide from a Louth free-kick in response the tide had turned and Leech did well to prevent McCollin getting any sting into his shot just before the hour.
Peacock, still suffering the effects of a first half tackle limped off with half an hour to go, James Regis coming on in his place.
Lucien tested Tolfrey again with a venomous drive beaten to safety by Ks’ No 1, but at the other end Pattison produced a mazy run and shot the home defence was happy to hack clear.
Max Oberschmidt then had to hold on from Pattison’s stinging drive, while the excellent Tolfrey beat out a well hit effort from substitute Llacer in a rare Borough attack.
Ks almost snatched the points with four minutes remaining when McCollin’s thunderous drive cannoned out for a throw via the junction of post and bar, but Borough deserved reward for their promising performance.
