A sparkling second half performance earned Harrow a third league win a row and for the second game in a row, Dernell Wynter posted another entry into ‘Goal of the Season’ competition. This week a stunning 25-yard strike into the top corner in the 75th minute as Harrow finished February unbeaten.

A second trip to Moneyfields within a month. Last time the journey took close to five hours due to an accident on the M25 and horrendous roadworks in Portsmouth.
A clear run from start to finish today meant that arrival at the ground was closer to three hours before kick-off than three minutes, as was the case four weeks ago.

Both pitches at the facility were being used for Portsmouth girls’ games on arrival. The tea bar was open and there were several poor souls seen drinking hot drinks purchased from there.
The option of strolling to the very local ‘Jolly Taxpayer’ was considered. The outside of the pub looked a tad rough when driving past, and after seeing photos of the inside on Google, I feared my lack of a neck tattoo would see me refused admission and a chilled couple of hours reading about the start of World War 3 in the ‘community hub’ before the game was chosen as the safer option.

Wayne Carter kept faith with the team that started the home victory over Littlehampton last Saturday. Harrow attacked the railway end in the first half and for the second visit in a month – the lowering sun behind the dugouts made the view from the main stand pretty challenging at times. Even more so when you are attempting to shield your eyes, write notes, update the official league app and take pictures with a camera that weighs more than Will Bailey after jumping into a lake fully clothed, all at the same time and without a desk.

It was the waiflike Bailey who began causing Fareham problems from the off. His run down the left in the 3rd minute ended with him being brought down just outside the Fareham area.
The free kick came to nothing and within a minute; the hosts came close to taking the lead. A corner from the right was delivered to the edge of the Harrow six-yard box. Harvey Aston was allowed a free header and should really have done better than heading 5ft over the bar.

In the 7th minute it was Will Bailey causing issues for Fareham again that lead to Harrow going in front. Home skipper and right back Dan Bennett, who was built like a doorman at a sketchy night club, knew in the 3rd minute that he would not be able to keep up with Ken Baily let alone Will.
His attempted scythe on Will close to the halfway line would have brought at least a yellow card had it connected with the Harrow man. Thankfully, the challenge – and I’m being very kind in calling it that, was ridden and the blonde-haired winger surged towards the Fareham area where he brought down by another home defender and a penalty awarded.

Harrow had missed their last two penalties, but this time Dernell Wynter made no mistake and despite McCarthy going the right way, Dernell’s low spot kick flashed past his right hand and into the back of the… well it hit the foldaway wheel of the rollaway goal and back onto the pitch. 0-1

Wayne Carter admitted after the game that he was worried in the run up to the game and even more so after watching the players warm up, that his team would take Fareham too lightly. He was right to do so, as after an early goal Harrow collectively switched off for the remainder of the first half. There was definitely an element of smoking jackets and cigars on show from the Harrow side as Fareham dominated the remainder of the first half.

Fareham found a lot of time and space as Harrow took their foot off the gas and invited Fareham onto them. Playing into a gusting wind, defensive clearances were holding up and more often than not headed straight back into the Harrow half - uncontested.
Several balls were flashed across the Harrow area from both wings and shots deflected wide as Fareham, backed by their noisy vocal following behind the goal, upped the pressure.

Harrow were clinging on and picked up two cheap yellow cards in the 30th and 32nd minute. Harry Nevins and London Brookshaw the culprits.

Despite being under the cosh, it was Harrow who had a wonderful opportunity to double their lead in the 34th minute. Will Bailey creating havoc down the left. His waist high cross was badly misjudged by McCarthy the home custodian. The ball skimming off his gloves and into the path of Gareth Chendlik at the back post. The Harrow man unable to sort his feet out in time and only able to fire the ball 6ft wide of the unguarded goal.

Harrow had what looked to Wayne Carter – who had a much better view than anyone in the main stand - a strong penalty appeal turned down in the 39th minute when Bennett appeared to foul Bailey again.
Mr Harrison waved away the appeal and play continued.

The curse of first half stoppage time appeared again, when for the umpteenth time this season, Harrow conceded a goal in added time.

In the third of six added minutes, Olu Akinode appeared to be fouled in the build-up, but no foul was given. Fareham exploited the space where Olu would have been. The ball delivered low to the edge of the six-yard box from the right edge of the Harrow area for Dan Sibley to stroke the ball past Tom Clark. 1-1.

Half time 1-1

Wayne and his backroom team looked less than impressed as they left the field and you felt changes were inevitable before the game resumed.

Sure enough, Yoan Edoukou and Lewis Cole were both stripped and ready for action on the touchline long before the players emerged from the dressing room.
I’m pretty sure that there were some home truths flying around the Harrow changing room at half time. It appeared as though they certainly hit home as Harrow could and probably should have scored three times in the opening few minutes of the second half.

Firstly, Dernell was put through on goal 40 yards out. He was very central and carried the ball inside the Fareham area before trying to clip the ball over the advancing McCarthy. The home keeper blocking the shot with his torso.
A minute later and Dernell was in on goal again. This time he was wide of McCarthy’s left post. Dernell went for power and McCarthy parried this one away.

Two minutes later and Will Bailey found himself in on goal from Charlie Malin’s clever pass. Will was level with the penalty spot, wide to the keeper’s right post. Perhaps fearing a crude challenge from Bennett, Will rushed his shot and was only able to scuff the ball towards goal. McCarthy relieved to see the ball dribble into his waiting arms at a geriatric snail’s pace.
You would have expected all three of these chances to be scored at least 7/10 times – probably more.

Fareham were barely seeing any of the ball. Their only moment of danger came midway through the half. Harry Nevins losing the ball inside the centre circle but recovering well to block the resulting shot on the edge of his own area at the conclusion of the attack.

It seemed as though it was going to be one of those days when two more opportunities were spurned in the 72nd and 73rd minute. Dernell found space behind the Fareham defence. A high cross was clipped towards the edge of the area. McCarthy had come to claim it with no chance of doing so and Dernell cleverly chested the ball wide of the leaping keeper. However, the ball took a pudding bounce on the artificial surface. This allowed a defender to put in a challenge before Dernell could set himself to roll the ball into an empty net.

A minute later and Yoan picks the ball up on the right, a few yards outside the Fareham area. With defenders backing off he carries the ball inside the area and manages to find enough space to hit a shot that smashes off the inside of McCarthy’s’ right post and back into play.

Two minutes later and the dam finally burst.
A Fareham clearance was headed back towards the home area. Dernell receives the ball with his back to goal 30 yards out. He turns, looks up and smashes a right footed shot from 25 yards into the top corner to the left of the despairing McCarthy.
A goal worth the admission money alone. 1-2 in the 75th minute.

Fareham had been very much second best for the entirety of the second half, but you fully expected a barrage of attacks after going behind. Strangely, it never came. Credit should be given to Harrow who controlled the remainder of the game and kept possession well.

Charlie Malin was forced off in the 82nd minute with what looked like a recurrence of his troublesome calf issues. Sakeel Balfour-Brown forced into an unfamiliar centre midfield role after replacing the Harrow skipper.

Harrow came close to adding a third in the 88th minute. Lucas Miller crashing a low shot off of McCarthy’s right post from 8 yards out.
Six added minutes were advertised to the crowd. In the first of these the hosts won a corner on the right. Keeper McCarthy went up for it and headed over from 10 yards out, under pressure.

That was as close as the hosts came to an equaliser as Harrow comfortably saw out the remaining time and probably should have added to their tally. Edoukou and Balfour-Brown getting in each other’s way with the goal gaping in the 94th minute.

Full time 1-2.

Harrow more than deserved their victory on their second half showing, but will need to put that into the full ninety going forward if they are going to make a late playoff push.
Every team from third to ninth in table won today. The only game between teams in the bottom half saw Hendon win away at Littlehampton.
Fareham, sadly for them look doomed. You must feel some sympathy towards them as they have not played a home game at their own ground since November 8th due to waterlogged / frozen pitches.

Being forced to play their last six home games away from their own ground is definitely a disadvantage. Not just on the pitch, but off it as well. In their six home games prior to being forced to play home games at Gosport and Moneyfields the attendance averaged 323.
In their six home games at Gosport / Moneyfields the attendance has averaged 131. The financial hit from money through the gate, bar takings and having to pay ground hire will be substantial. At a time when clubs are struggling to survive, forcing clubs to play games away from their own grounds is rather short-sighted.

Harrow are away at Binfield on Tuesday. The game being played at Ashford Town on instruction from the league. Binfield sit 16th in the table but are 7th in the form table with 10 points from their last six games.
If Harrow turn up with their first half attitude it could be another Tuesday night horror show on AstroTurf. However, if the second half Harrow turn up for the entire 90 minutes…

Harrow Borough: Tom Clark, Olu Akinode, Luke Brophy, Prince Mbengui, Reuben Collins, Harry Nevins, Charlie Malin ©, London Brookshaw, Gareth Chendlik, Dernell Wynter, Will Bailey.

Used Subs: Yoan Edoukou on for Chendlik 46 mins. Lewis Cole on for Brookshaw 46 mins. Lucas Miller on for Bailey 65 mins. Sakeel Balfour – Brown on for Malin 82 mins.

Unused Sub: Jayde Crotty

Yellow Cards: Nevins 30 mins. Brookshaw 32 mins.

Fareham Town: Dec McCarthy, Dan Bennett ©, Cam Sullivan, Toure Williams, Lewis Colvin, Joe Goddard, Charlie Cooper, Harvey Aston, Jamie Arnold, Ethan Quinlan, Matty Pates.

Used Subs: Dan Sibley on for Arnold 18 mins. Callie Neil on for Quinlan 62 mins. Charlie Cole on for Aston 79 mins. Olly Kershaw on for Bennett 85 mins. Callum Kimber on for Pates 88 mins.

Yellow Cards: Lewis Colvin 32 mins. Cam Sullivan 49 mins.

Referee: Robert Harrison
Attendance: 127
Weather: Sunny 54F