Didcot held in relegation six-pointer

Harrow Borough 3-3 Didcot Town

Didcot Town missed the chance to draw level on points with relegation rivals Harrow Borough despite an impressive first-half comeback.

2-0 down midway through the opening 45, Robbie Gallagher’s impressive strike got the ball rolling for the Railwaymen before two headers from Luke Carnell put them in the lead.

After the break though, Reece Yorke equalised for the hosts and Didcot were unable to restore advantage, meaning they remain bottom of Southern League Premier South, 12 points adrift of safety and three points back from second-bottom Harrow.

Seven points from the first three games of 2024 had given Didcot hope of a great escape but defeats to Merthyr Town and Dorchester Town since had halted their momentum.

There were two changes to the team that started that latter defeat, with Seth Humphries and Patrick Osborne replacing Harvey Fox, who dropped to the bench, and the absent James Glover. Oxford United youngster Tobias Brenan, signed in the week, was amongst the substitutes.

Didcot started brightly but they fell behind in the seventh minute when Harrow were awarded a soft penalty. Reece Mitchell converted to his right, Leigh Bedwell barely having a chance to move from his spot.

The goal shifted the momentum firmly in Harrow’s favour and they doubled their lead in the 25th minute. Bedwell came out wide to meet Excellence Muhemba but the Harrow attacker got passed him and crossed in, with Reece Cameron putting the ball home at the back post.

The response from Didcot was immediate. Youngster Gallagher pulled one back with an excellent shot buried into the top corner, and as if like that, the run of play shifted in Didcot’s favour.

They equalised nine minutes later when Adam Learoyd’s ball into the middle found the head of central defensive colleague Carnell who had been left unmarked. Harrow didn’t learn their lesson and just before the break, Cameron McNeill’s corner found Carnell for a free header, and Didcot led.

Despite an effort for Learoyd early in the second half, the hosts became more threatening. Bedwell was a little lucky when he couldn’t hold onto a Mitchell free kick, pushing it onto the bar before claiming.

The Didcot goalkeeper also had to save from Nagheeb Ibrahim and Muhemba, but the later opportunity ultimately led to the equaliser, Didcot not clearing their lines from the corner before skipper Yorke levelled for his side.

Didcot appeared frustrated at letting their lead slip and amassed five yellow cards in an ill-tempered second half. Brenan, having come from the bench, came closest to restoring their lead, shooting wide.

There was intrigue late on when Bedwell was penalised for picking up a back pass. Following the resulting indirect free kick, Reece Deakin couldn’t become the fourth Reece on the scoresheet for Harrow, striking wide.

Neither side would have been happy with just the point given their respective predicaments; Didcot especially so. Jamie Heapy’s side are back in London to face Hayes & Yeading United on Tuesday night before back-to-back home games against Beaconsfield Town and Walton & Hersham.

Harrow Borough (4-3-3): Tobin; Mirtahmasebi, Yorke, Seabrook, Miskin (Deakin 62’); Mfinda, Nallo (Talla 83’), Ibrahim; Muhemba, Cameron (Hale 55’), Mitchell. Unused subs: Lukombo, Ada.

Didcot Town (4-3-3): L. Bedwell; Grant, Carnell, Learoyd, McNeill; Barder, Putland, Bennett (Brenan 76’); Gallagher, Humphries (Fox 84’), Osborne (Noka 85’). Unused subs: Smith, Galpin.

Goals: Mitchell 7’ (P), Cameron 25’, Yorke 70’; Gallagher 27’, Carnell 36’, 45’.

Booked: Miskin 34’, Ibrahim 56’, Mfinda 90+2’; Gallagher 58’, Grant 59’, McNeill 64’, Carnell 77’, Putland 80’.

Attendance: 174.