BOROUGH CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF BRYAN
HARROW are still the unexpected Bostik League pacesetters after goals in either half from Michael Bryan and Will Turl gave them their best ever start to a season.
Boro were also the first team to breach the Tonbridge defence this season. And they did so within eight minutes.
After the visitors enjoyed plenty of early possession, Harrow converted the first chance of the afternoon.
Bryan, who has been in excellent early season form, turned his man on the left hand by-line.
He then took a couple of touches before blasting past Angels keeper Jonathan Henly from a tight angle.
Harrow should have doubled their lead moments later. Curtis Ujah’s powerful headed clearance was flicked on by Charles Banya to send Will Turl through on goal.
However, the striker took too long and bundled the ball wide under pressure.
Bryan then turned cleverly on the edge of the area before shooting just wide of the left hand post.
Tonbridge had three clear-cut opportunities to equalise before half time.
Nathan Elder’s knock down found Andre McCollin who headed wide, before a rare mistake from Ujah let in Daniel Thompson.
The midfielder lobbed the advancing Minter but the ball dropped agonisingly over the bar.
Craig Stone then picked out Elder, but the striker somehow headed wide when unmarked from eight yards.
Boro’s Ant O’Connor was fortunate not too see red for pushing an opponent right on half-time.
And Boro made the Angels pay for their missed chances on 58 minutes.
A long ball forward was half cleared to Turl on the edge of the box, who curled an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner.
The visitors continued to dominate possession but some resolute and well organised defending meant that Boro keeper Marvin Minter didn’t have a save of note to make.
With four minutes remaining Henly was also fortunate not to be sent off as he tried to shield the ball out of play.
O’Connor stole the ball from him and was then brought down as he headed for goal.
The referee consulted his assistant before deciding to book Henly.
Boro comfortably saw out the last few minutes to make it four out of four, to the delight of the Earlsmead faithful. Tonbridge slip to eighth.