Match preview/thread: Harrow Borough v Blues

[Supporters Association]

The Blues kick-off the new season when they travel to Harrow Borough on Saturday. Craig Edwards new look side will go in bouyant mood despite Earlsmead being something of a ‘bogey’ ground! The Blues have not won at Harrow since March 2005 when Nathan Elder, Neil Cousins and Paul Armstrong gave the Blues a 3-0 win!

 

Manager Craig Edwards is very pleased with how pre-season has gone. Speaking on the Concord Rangers game Edwards said: “The big disappointment was last week at Concord, not the result but the injuries we picked up. Ryan Scott is 50/50 (for Harrow game), Ricky Sappleton is out for 2 weeks, Jeffrey Imudia is out for 3 weeks and Michael Agboola is out for a week. Javlon Campbell will have a fitness test tomorrow but is doubtful. Junior Luke has had to go to Turkey as his girlfriend is very ill and not allowed to fly home for a couple of weeks. Other than that we're fine! I would sooner have lost 4-0 and had everyone available. Having said all that, the boys are in good spirit and confident of overcoming the Harrow hoodoo!”

 

Harrow themselves have made a number of new signings during the summer, notably the well travelled Leroy Griffiths. The match at Earlsmead KO’s at 3pm and it would be excellent to see a sea of Blue around the ground! The Supporters Association are running a supporters coach and seats are still available. For those already aboard the clubhouse will be open from 11.30am. COME ON YOU BLUES!
Coach details are: Harrow Borough – Saturday 10th August
Depart New Lodge: 12:30pm (sharp!)
Return 5:15pm
Cost: BTSA members: £10 Adults, £5 Junior Blues (Non-members: £12 Adults, £6 U16s)
(Coach has toilet facilities)

 

TO BOOK:
Text: 0741 0973365 (Please note new number)
E-mail: btfctravel@billericay76.plus.com (Please state clearly your full name, contact number and number of seats required)

 

Driving? Getting to Harrow:
Harrow Borough play home matches at Earlsmead Stadium, Earlsmead, Carlyon Avenue, South Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 8SS.

 

From the South / West From the M25 junction 16, take the M40 East towards Uxbridge and London. Continue onto A40, passing Northolt Aerodrome on the left hand side. At the Target Roundabout junction (A312) turn left towards Northolt. Just after passing Northolt Underground Station on the left hand side, turn left at the next set of traffic lights, onto Eastcote Lane, becoming Field End Road. At next roundabout, turn right onto Eastcote Lane. At a small parade of shops, take the turning on the right into Carlyon Avenue. Earlsmead is the second turning on the right.

 

From the North / East From the M25 (junction 23) take the A1 south towards London. At the first roundabout you reach (petrol station on left), turn right onto Barnet Lane (A411), towards Elstree. A short distance along this road, turn left at the roundabout (still Barnet Lane towards Elstree). The road winds for about two miles, you’ll come to a crossroads with traffic lights at Elstree. Go straight over onto Watford Road. This road also winds for about a mile, and you’ll pass a pub and a small industrial park on the left. At the next roundabout (A41), go straight over (second exit) towards Harrow. You will pass immediately under a bridge, then about a quarter of a mile up this road, at the mini-roundabout, turn left into Heathbourne Road (A409). About half a mile along this road, you will pass a BUPA (Bushey) Hospital on your right. Soon after, at the mini-roundabout, take the right hand fork into Magpie Hall Road. At the next set of traffic lights (Alpine Restaurant on opposite right corner), go straight ahead. After less than a mile, you’ll come to another set of traffic lights (Cream coloured pub, Blubeckers on opposite right corner). Go straight over into Brookshill (still A409). After about a mile, passing Weald College on your left, you reach a roundabout. Turn right onto A410 Uxbridge Road. This shortly becomes dual carriageway. At the next roundabout – turn left into Courtenay Avenue. Go straight over roundabout, and continue down a short dual carriageway (passing Kodak on your left - road becomes Harrow View), to the next set of traffic lights. Turn right, into Headstone Gardens. Continue to next set of traffic lights at North Harrow. Go straight ahead (A4090 Station Road, becoming Imperial Drive), signposted to Rayners Lane / South Harrow, passing North Harrow underground station on your right hand side. Continue straight over at two sets of lights, then into Rayners Lane (passing Rayners Lane underground station on your right hand side) , continuing on A4090, Alexandra Avenue) After approximately a mile and a half, at the next major set of traffic lights, turn right into Eastcote Lane (a large pub called The Matrix is on the right hand side at this junction). Take the next left into Carlyon Avenue, then Earlsmead is second on the right.

 

By Public Transport Harrow Borough Football Club is near to South Harrow (Piccadilly Line), Rayners Lane (Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines), Northolt (Central Line) and Northolt Park (Mainline from Marylebone).

 

The closest station is Northolt Park, which is just five minutes walk from Earlsmead., after a journey time of 15-20 minutes from Marylebone. After leaving the station, turn right under the railway bridge, and take the left hand fork into Alexandra Avenue and next right into Somervell Road. Bear right into Carlyon Avenue, and Earlsmead is the second on the left.

 

From South Harrow Station, it is approximately 20 minutes walk to the stadium, or bus routes 140,114 or H9 take you to within a few minutes walk of the ground (114 or H9 being the nearest). The 140 should be taken in the direction of Heathrow and Hayes, leaving the bus at Alexandra Avenue. The 114 should be taken in the direction of Ruislip, leaving the bus at the "Kings Road " Stop, the same stop if on the H9. It is then a 5-minute walk to the stadium.

 

Regular buses from Rayners Lane Station (H10 direction South Harrow Station), run as far as the junction of Eastcote Lane and Carlyon Avenue. From Northolt Station, route 282 runs to the end of Somervell Road. Route 140 (direction Harrow) takes you as far as the junction of Alexandra Avenue and Northolt Road.

[Top Cat]

Apart from……………..the injuries we picked up. Ryan Scott is 50/50 (for Harrow game), Ricky Sappleton is out for 2 weeks, Jeffrey Imudia is out for 3 weeks and Michael Agboola is out for a week. Javlon Campbell will have a fitness test tomorrow but is doubtful. Junior Luke has had to go to Turkey as his girlfriend is very ill and not allowed to fly home for a couple of weeks. Other than that we're fine! …………..   almost sounds like Monty Python….”what have the Romans ever done for us”……      

[jl]

Yes it's a shame. I was very optimistic about this game but it looks like we will be missing some key players. Hopefully the ones that play will do the business for us. COYB!