Drop fears back as Town dealt another home loss

By darnold

BILLERICAY 1

HARROW BOROUGH 2

(Ryman League Premier Division)

BILLERICAY'S hopes of putting some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone were hit on Saturday as they produced a limp second half performance to lose against Harrow Borough.

It had all started well enough for the Blues as they took an early lead but they quickly lost the initiative and never looked likely to regain it.

Town kept the same starting eleven that had performed so well against Dartford during the week, but with Simon Thomas having now left and Billy Bricknell still injured, their striking options were looking thin with James Baker ploughing a lonely furrow up front.

On a pitch that quickly cut up, making passing football difficult, both sides had an early chance with the experienced Dewayne Clarke firing wide for the visitors before James Baker escaped the Harrow defence only frustratingly seeing his shot clipped the outside of the post with Andray Baptiste to beat.

Town took the lead after 16 minutes when, from a Danny Slatter corner, Chris Wild's header somehow squeezed under the Harrow 'keeper and into the net.

That was as good as it got for Blues as Harrow forced them onto the back foot and almost grabbed an equaliser when Rocky Baptiste shot was blocked before almost being deflected in by a defender.

With Billericay very much on the back foot at the start of the second half, it was something of a surprise when they almost doubled their lead, Baker seeing his shot well stopped by Baptiste in goal.

Harrow made the most of that let-off five minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after Baker was adjudged to have pulled Clarke back at a corner. Rocky Baptiste converted from the spot.

The winner came ten minutes later when Dean Fenton capitalised on a lack of communication between Ian Cousins and Paul Nicholls, who stood and watched as the Harrow winger nipped in between them to fire home.

For all their efforts, Billericay seldom looked like getting back into the game and Harrow held on for a deserved win.