Harrow Borough preview

Wingate and Finchley travel to Earlsmead for a Ryman Premier League tie against Harrow Borough, the pair’s second meeting in the space of a week. Last Tuesday’s Alan Turvey Cup tie between the two sides ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw, with the Blues securing their spot in the next round by winning 8-7 on penalties. Cup success, however, is never guaranteed and Keith Rowland’s men followed up this victory with a 3-0 loss in the second round of the FA Cup to Tonbridge Angels on Saturday. Harrow, on the other hand, were able to turn their cup fortunes around at the weekend by beating Uxbridge 2-1 to reach the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, though they have some way to go before matching their 1984 record of reaching the Second Round Proper. As the Boro showed last week, their prowess in attack is balanced out by a leaky defence, with five goals scored and eight conceded in the league so far. Ibrahim Meite and Marc Charles-Smith were the thorns in Wingate’s side last week, picking up a brace each and seemingly creating chances at will. The pair are Harrow’s top scorers, with a combined total of 11 goals across all competitions. But, for every goal Harrow scored, they conceded with alarming ease. The Blues had great joy down Boro’s flanks and - were it not for a contentious offside call and a should-have-scored-that miss – Billy Healey could well have doubled his two goal tally in that game. Meanwhile, Rob Laney and Tanasheh Abrahams will be hoping to pick up sensational performances where they left off. The striker-come-winger and defender caused Harrow’s full backs all sorts of problems and the left-sided duo picked up a vital assist each. Last season’s FA Cup Second Qualifying Round win against Concord Rangers was followed up by a loss to Canvery Island, a sign that the team may have got a little carried away. But Tuesday’s game showed a different mentality to that of the previous campaign. Keith Rowland’s men fought their way back from a goal down twice and, this time around, they will need to put Saturday’s loss to one side while showing the same spirit that carried them across the line last week. By Andy Gerlis