Borough will have been very pleased with this well-deserved draw against last season’s runners-up, a side that is Harrow manager David Howell’s tip for the title this time round and who arrived at Earlsmead with a 100% record.

On a hot Saturday lunchtime, the game having kicked-off early to be finished before England’s World Cup game with Wales, Billericay were first to threaten, Wareham’s strike forcing a fine save from Keita Karamoko.

Play switched to the other end and Harrow soon took a 5th minute lead. James Bent picked up the ball on the left, ran at the full-back and beat him. He looked up and pulled the ball back to Elliot Onochie. His low shot was parried by Billericay keeper Capleton, and finished off at the far post by Victor Asombang.

A stunned Billericay spent the next ten minutes encamped around the Harrow goal, but couldn’t get an equaliser. Dormer, unchallenged, headed against the post, Karamoko made a flying save to tip over Kerrigan’s shot, Marvin Neufville stopped another shooting attempt with a fine tackle, and then Elder held off Wayne Walters, had a shot that was well saved by Karamoko, with Daniel Nielsen making a great block in the follow-up.

But Harrow were close to adding to their lead after 22 minutes. Capleton came out of his goal to fly-hack the ball clear of Asombang. Danny Leech picked up the ball 40 yards out and, seeing Capleton retreating, tried to float the ball into the unguarded net. His effort was just marginally too high. At the other end, Dormer headed a corner wide of the post, and Karamoko saved from Hockton.

Billericay equalised after 43 minutes and it will have irritated Howell that the goal stemmed from a Harrow corner. Danny Blanchett’s delivery did not clear the first defender, and the visitors quickly played the ball upfield. Hockton held off Nielsen’s challenge to shoot low into the net off Karamoko.

Six minutes after half-time, Harrow ought to have regained the lead. A loose ball fell to Bent, ten yards out, but his shot went past the post. Hockton’s effort for Bilericay was then held by Karamoko, and Dormer headed Hunter’s corner over the goal at the near post.
Asombang then held up the ball allowing Daniel Dyer a 20-yard shot wide, and Clemente Lopez made a fine run up the left, crossed beyond the far post from where Dyer returned the ball across goal. Onochie touched it on and Asombang’s effort was deflected over the bar.
When Neufville limped off, Borough had to reorganise in defence, Dyer dropping back to right-back and Nielsen switching to centre-half. Karamoko saved from Elder, and substitute Lay’s shot beat Karamoko and was cleared by Walters, but otherwise the reorganisation worked well and Harrow finished strongly. Leech’s header from Blanchett’s corner was saved, and shots by Bent and Lopez were charged down.
This performance, and the deserved result, will be a further boost to the confidence of Howell’s young side. Next up is a league visit from East Thurrock United this Tuesday evening.

HARROW BOROUGH
1 Keita Karamoko
2 Daniel Nielsen
3 Daniel Blanchett
4 Wayne Walters
5 Marvin Neufville (Jonathan Constant 69)
6 James Bent (Clinton Lamb 90)
7 Daniel Dyer
8 Danny Leech
9 Elliot Onochie
10 Victor Asombang ( Brian Haule 84)
11 Clemente Lopez

Unused Subs
14 Jason Haniff
17 Gary Ross

BILLERICAY TOWN
1 Mel Capleton
2 Matt Game
3 Danny Kerrigan
4 Dave McSweeney
5 Pat Sappleton
6 Jamie Dormer
George Lay (73)
7 Richard Thomas
8 Leon Hunter
9 Nathan Elder
10 Danny Hockton
Neil Cousins (71)
11 Ross Wareham

12 Neil Cousins
14 Ricky Dobson
15 Gary Henty
16 George Lay
17 Dale Brightley

REFEREE
C Banks
ATTENDANCE 141

by Simon Grigor