Read brace seals win over neighbours

The Hawks started brightly when Joe Benjamin received a cross from Ben Hart. He beat the Sawbridgeworth right-back to be able to cut the ball back into the path of Alex Read, who tucked the ball away for a sixth minute lead.

Harlow dominated the first half and kept the home 'keeper busy. Junior Dadson hit the woodwork while Read forced another save, and Harlow could have been four or five goals to the good with the number of chances created.

Benjamin scored the second on 39 minutes, his first goal in a Harlow shirt. Omer Riza worked well in the area to lay it off Benjamin. The winger shot low underneath a defender's legs and into the bottom corner of the goal.

The Hawks allowed Sawbridgeworth back into the game in the second half, a well worked team goal pulling one back for the home side.

The two goal cushion was restored however, when Omer Riza took a quick free kick to put Alex Read through on goal. Read shaped to shoot, then calmly took it round the onrushing keeper to finish into an open net.

Harlow hit the post again via Junior Dadson, before a Ryan Melaugh shot went inches wide of the post.

The Hawks will be pleased with the result, however the game could have been out of sight in the first half with the chances that were created.

The final pre-season friendly is this Saturday 1st August, away to last season's Ryman Division 1 North Playoff Winners Brentwood Town. Kick off is at 3pm. Danny Chapman will be looking to make the final tweaks to his team before the season kicks off in earnest the following Saturday.