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 Borough hoped to follow up Saturday’s away win at St Albans with a home win over ‘bogey’ side Havant & Waterlooville. A bumper bank-holiday crowd, boosted by a large number from along the Hampshire coast added to an excellent atmosphere, and supporters of both sides were treated to an excellent match of contrasting styles.
The home side had a half-chance to open the scoring on 17 seconds as Nathan Crabb, making his 1st start for The Sports, shot weakly after cutting inside from the right. Andy Ballard had an assured game at right-back, and on 5 minutes he combined well with Scott Ramsay but he needed to stretch for his shot; the ball wide of the near post. Crabb provided an excellent delivery on 13 minutes for pat Harding. The Boro No 7 came inside on his right foot and bent a shot to the top far corner. Kevin Scriven was equal to the effort and flicked the ball over. After a strong opening 20 minutes for Boro The Hawks began to have more influence, more often than not using an early long ball to Jamie Slabber and Leroy Griffiths. On 39 minutes a Havant penalty appeal was refused but 3 minutes later the away side were in front. Boro failed to clear their lines and after 2 blocks and goal-line clearances Shaun Wilkinson finally rifled the ball past Lee Hook for 1-0 at half-time.
Boro were level on 50 minutes. Havant did not clear a right-wing corner and as the ball fell to Paul Armstrong on the edge of the area he ‘lobbed’ the mass of players rather than power a shot, Scriven no chance and the score was 1-1.
Boro were playing the more attractive football but the back-four could not relax, Ben Austin and Marc Pullan defending well and passing the ball through midfield at every opportunity. Harding was again denied by Scriven on 55 minutes but a minute later The Hawks were in front. An excellent left-wing delivery found Griffiths in the Boro penalty area. As Jay Lovett attempted to block, Griffiths’s 1st time header back across the goal struck the post and found the net for 2-1.
Crabb shot wide from 8 yards on 67 minutes and Havant, playing mostly on the break, had half-chances, but the home pressure saw a deserved equaliser on 81 minutes as Andy Atkin (above receiving his team mates congratulations) thumped a near post header past Scriven from a Matt Crabb corner, 2-2 the final score.
Match Details - Webmaster
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