News

MIDWEEK DEJA-VU

The midweek visit of Hillingdon Borough followed a pattern remarkably similar to that of the previous midweek fixture with St. Margaretsbury last Thursday.    Borough dominated the first half and seemed comfortably in control of the match again with the assistance of a penalty awarded for hand-ball.   But relaxing too soon with only a two goal lead let the visitors back into the game and through an early second half goal.     Similarities continued as Borough were again reduced to ten men as Dewayne Clarke picked up two yellows in quick succession.   The pendulum then swung the visitors way but again Borough dug-in to garner the three points with an odd goal win.  Borough have now played the 2006 Vase finalists eleven times since their return to the Spartan South Midlands League in 2009/10  without losing (9 wins and 2 draws).  This win lifted Borough into the top half of the table in 10th position and they have still played less games than any other team in the Division having completed onl 2/3rds of their programme;  28 down 14 to go

LATE PURPLE PATCH BRINGS EMPHATIC VICTORY

Although there had been no end of earlier attempts on both goals, such was the waywardness of the finishing that a goal-less encounter at Ampthill Town seemed the most likely outcome.    But 20 minutes from time Dean Fenton slotted home accurately to give Borough the lead and after that Borough completely dominated proceedings scoring three more times through Oleg Semjonovs, an own goal and Anthony McDonald

MIDWEEK HOODOO LAID TO REST

At the 6th attempt Borough finally won a midweek game in 2013 when St. Margaretsbury visited Coles Park.   Borough dominated the first half and were 3 ahead at the interval.  But the second half was a different story as "The Bury" reduced the arrears just 4 minutes after the restart and after Borough were red-carded down to ten players the visitors created numerous chances but could only put one of them away.

TIGERS MAUL MULTI-CHANGE BOROUGH

With seven games to be played in the space of 14 days, inevitably a rotation policy had to be implemented and for the 2nd game of the sequence, away to London Tigers, Borough's squad of 13 included two  making their Club debuts and two others with only 4 appearances between them.   So it was no surprise that the team did not immediately "gel" and were quickly on the back-foot against eager opponents who, with better finishing,  might have had more than the goal in each half which gave them a 2-0 victory

MUCH IMPROVED BOROUGH DRAW ENTERTAINING GAME 

Anthony McDonald scored his first goal for the Club eleven minutes into a fine match which ended 1-1 as visiting Hanwell Town's run of consecutive League wins was halted at the 11th attempt.   After Hanwell's equaliser early in the second half both sides went looking for a winner and only a superb save by each 'keeper in stoppage time preserved the  point both teams deserved.

ANOTHER MIDWEEK SETBACK

Midweek seems not to agree with Borough as all four games played this year have resulted in narrow defeats. In fact Borough have played 10 consecutive games decided by a one goal margin or a penalty shoot out.   A fairly even first half saw Borough leading Biggleswade United by virtue of Andreas Loizou’s fierce dipping strike but if Borough thought the match was won by the interval they were sorely mistaken as the visitors dominated the second half and well deserved the 3 points they left with after their 2-1 win.

DEFIANT KEEPER DENIES BOROUGH A DESERVED POINT

Only an outstanding display by home 'keeper Tom Coulton prevented Borough from returning with a point from their visit to Leverstock Green's Pancake Lane ground which on the basis of their second half onslaught would have been just reward.     In a fairly even first half "The Green" had created the better chances and Curt Dizon put away the only goal of the match shortly before the interval.

MORE EXTRA TIME CUP MISERY

Borough have played just 4 games in 2013 and 3 of them have seen Cup Exits - the latest being the relinquishing of our hold on the League Challenge Trophy.   At least this time it was not by virtue of a penalty shoot out although that was only avoided by minutes.  Borough should have secured victory in normal time but a saved penalty when the score was 0 -0 and a stoppage time equaliser for the hosts meant extra time which was far from ideal for much changed Borough with only one outfield player substitute and although a scrambled effort put Borough ahead in the first period they could not hold out against the determined running of their speedy opponents from Division One naturally focused on overcoming Premier Division opposition - and the Cup holders to boot.    Sadly, this defeat was a carbon copy in terms of scoring sequence  as the Women had exited their League Cup three days earlier after extra time away to a team from the Division below them (Norwich City Reserves) after twice being ahead.   Defeat leaves Borough with half a season's League fixtures (21) to play before the end of April with neither Promotion or Relegation looking mathematically realistic.