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Sat 09 Aug 2014 · Ryman North
Redbridge
Mens First Team
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S Stamp (23'), G Smith (92')
Hawks off to winning ways
Ray Dyer13 Aug 2014 - 12:43
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Harlow Town picked up 3 points and 3 goals on their opening league encounter at Redbridge.
Danny Chapman gave debuts to David Kendall, Jared Small, Michael Toner and Ben Glasgow as The Hawks kicked off their Ryman Division One North campaign at The Oakside Stadium. All four players played well, with Kendall looking assured at centre half, winning every header he challenged for.
On a warm, sunny day, it took a while for both sides to settle into any pattern, but it was Redbridge who thought that they had opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Sam Gent stabbed home from three yards only to see the linesmen's flag go up for offside.
However, on 23 minutes Shane Stamp shook off two defenders, earned himself some space to drive home a shot from 18 yards to give the Hawks the lead. On 26 minutes club Captain James Smith hit a free-kick directly at goalkeeper Mark Parker from 23 yards.
The Hawks then doubled their lead just after the half hour mark, Former Harlow player Liam Thomas scoring an own goal, good work from James Smith gave him space to hit a shot which was blocked by a defenders foot, but his half clearance hit Thomas and rebounded over Parker and into the back of the net.
On 34 minutes Alex Read had a penalty claim turned down by referee Craig Pullen, with Mr Pullen saying that the defender won the ball cleanly. But five minutes before half time Read should have grabbed a third, when a superb through ball by Man of the Match Fabion Simms found him but he steered his shot past Parker and also agonisingly past the back post.
Redbridge came out in the 2nd half with more determination looking to get back in the game, and it only took 10 minutes before Bradley Hooper tucked the ball passed Ed Thompson, this was after Joe Gent had stole the ball of Layne Eadie in the penalty area, and set up the forward.
Redbridge were now the better side and were causing Harlow some problems, but on 74 minutes substitute George Smith cleverly chipped Parker in the Redbridge goal from 20 yards out only to see the ball bounce back off of the crossbar.
Four minutes later and Redbridge should have been level; substitute Jack Avery found himself in a great position only to shoot wide of the back post.
Harlow finally put the game to bed in injury time, when the talented George Smith curled in a fabulous effort from 18 yards after a great tackle from Fabion Simms. Although not a great performance from Chapman's men, they battled well to earn the points against a hardworking Redbridge side.
On a warm, sunny day, it took a while for both sides to settle into any pattern, but it was Redbridge who thought that they had opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Sam Gent stabbed home from three yards only to see the linesmen's flag go up for offside.
However, on 23 minutes Shane Stamp shook off two defenders, earned himself some space to drive home a shot from 18 yards to give the Hawks the lead. On 26 minutes club Captain James Smith hit a free-kick directly at goalkeeper Mark Parker from 23 yards.
The Hawks then doubled their lead just after the half hour mark, Former Harlow player Liam Thomas scoring an own goal, good work from James Smith gave him space to hit a shot which was blocked by a defenders foot, but his half clearance hit Thomas and rebounded over Parker and into the back of the net.
On 34 minutes Alex Read had a penalty claim turned down by referee Craig Pullen, with Mr Pullen saying that the defender won the ball cleanly. But five minutes before half time Read should have grabbed a third, when a superb through ball by Man of the Match Fabion Simms found him but he steered his shot past Parker and also agonisingly past the back post.
Redbridge came out in the 2nd half with more determination looking to get back in the game, and it only took 10 minutes before Bradley Hooper tucked the ball passed Ed Thompson, this was after Joe Gent had stole the ball of Layne Eadie in the penalty area, and set up the forward.
Redbridge were now the better side and were causing Harlow some problems, but on 74 minutes substitute George Smith cleverly chipped Parker in the Redbridge goal from 20 yards out only to see the ball bounce back off of the crossbar.
Four minutes later and Redbridge should have been level; substitute Jack Avery found himself in a great position only to shoot wide of the back post.
Harlow finally put the game to bed in injury time, when the talented George Smith curled in a fabulous effort from 18 yards after a great tackle from Fabion Simms. Although not a great performance from Chapman's men, they battled well to earn the points against a hardworking Redbridge side.
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