Southwell City defeat Harrowby United in the United Counties League Division One
Missed chances and key decisions not going their way contributed to Harrowby United's downfall on Saturday.
The Arrows were beaten 4-2 by Southwell City in the United Counties League Division One match at the JRL Stadium.
It was a match where everything that could have gone wrong in a game of football went wrong for the Arrows, writes Mark Fardell.
They had gone into the game knowing a win would keep them in the play-off hunt against a Southwell side who always provide stern opposition for the Arrows.
Harrowby started the match on the front foot, creating good chances to put the game to bed in the first 20 minutes.
Harry Allcock, Jon Smith and Jack Gurney all missed chances before the first talking point of the opening period came up.
Smith got away from his defender and crossed for Max Baker who looked set to tap home when he was clipped from behind by a Zebras defender but, to the astonishment of the home side, their penalty appeals were turned down.
Harrowby were then hit by a sucker punch moments later as sloppy play in their midfield resulted in a crossfield ball being turned into his own net by Brad Gothard.
The Arrows then went on the attack for the rest of the half but couldn't find a way past Alex Smith in the Southwell goal as the visitors held a one-goal lead at the break.
The home side needed a good start to the second half and it arrived within three minutes of the restart as Smith found space on the right to guide the ball home to equalise against his former club.
It was all Harrowby now but another Southwell breakaway ended with keeper Jake Frestle spilling the ball to Chris Okoye who passed it into an empty net.
The referee then found himself centre stage again minutes later as he gave a very soft penalty for a potential foul by Ewan Armsrong and Cal Law converted from the spot to give Southwell a two-goal cushion.
To the Arrows credit, they pinned Southwell back and got a penalty of their own for hand ball but Smith pulled off a stunning save to deny Allcock.
To rub salt into the wounds, another breakaway from the Zebras ended with Frestle stranded and Law lobbed home his second goal of the game thanks to a Will Stocks assist shortly before full-time.
There was still time for Harrowby to add a second goal as Jon Smith was again the dangerman and netted to close the gap for the home side in stoppage time.
However, by then, the goal deficit was too large and Harrowby fell to their fourth home defeat of the season.
Harrowby’s home match with West Bridgford on Tuesday night was postponed due to a frozen pitch. They now face a tough-looking trip to Clifton All Whites on Saturday.
