Harbertonford reserves FC 1-2 Malborough & Hope Cove FC

After the previous weeks poor performance, Boro really needed to get back on track with a win in this South Hams derby. Steve King came into the side to make his first start in a Boro shirt due to absentees in the midfield, and Richard Bostock continued in central defence along side Mike White.

Boro were the quickest team out of the blocks, putting the Harbertonford defence under considerable pressure in the opening minutes. It didn’t take long for a Nick Bowles through ball to beat the defence and put James Whitley in the clear, who made no mistake with a clever finish, sending the keeper the wrong way.

The Boro central midfield of Bowles and Harry Dawson were finding themselves in loads of space and they used it well, picking out runs from both wingers King and Rob Hutchings, the latter being especially lively. It was his hard work that won a throw on the edge of the Harbertonford box and, taken by Dan Batchelor, found the run of Nick Bowles who hit a 25-yard looping volley into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance.

Boro were now rampant and Dawson could have extended the lead but saw his volley cleared off the line, and Bowles fired a free kick just wide of the upright. The one time in the first half where Harbertonford got away, indecision from keeper Steve Avent lead to a half chance, which the Ford striker took in style, lobbing Avent from 20 yards.

The second half was a cagier affair, with both sides not wanting to commit too much in attack, in case of leaving the defence short. When Boro did manage to break away, they looked dangerous. When Hutchings found space on the left, he was put through by Bowles. Bearing down on goal, he unleashed a powerful effort, which flew just over the bar. Wayne Kovacic also had a chance to seal the match, and when his shot, initially saved by the keeper, appeared to slip over the line, Boro thought they had. However, after consulting the linesman, the referee decided that the whole ball hadn’t crossed the line.

In the final few minutes, Harbertonford committed more men forward. However, excellent individual defending from Andy Lee and Bostock, and team defending from both defence and midfield, kept Ford at bay for a much-needed victory. Boro don’t have a match next Saturday and will be hoping they can keep up the momentum when they return against Mortonhampstead Reserves in a week’s time.