Explosive game ends in a draw!

Harlow were going into the game with a lot of confidence following the two successive 3-1 victories. But Tilbury looked to have a certain game plan to stop free flowing Harlow from playing their natural game. And it was Tilbury who started the better side. Tilbury denied Harlow any real chances in the first 15 minutes and looked the stronger side going forward.

But it was Harlow who did have the first chance. A nice ball through from James Smith enabled space for new signing David Cowley but he saw his effort drift just past the post. Moments later Tilbury could have opened the scoring. Harlow failed to clear and the ball found its way to Cutler who lashed the ball against the crossbar.

However Tilbury took the lead half an hour into the game. After a goalmouth scramble, Harlow failed to clear and Sam West was there to tap in past Ed Thompson.

Harlow had been disappointing in all areas in the first half and were punished again for sloppy defending. Striker Ben Hunt had a fierce effort on goal parried away by Ed Thompson but Tom Wood was following in on the shot and had a empty net to tap into.

The first half ended and there were many Harlow fans who were disappointed with the performance from the players and demanded a better performance in the second half.

Harlow did come out of the tunnel looking fired up and had a few efforts on goal through Jared Small and Alex Read but both were denied by keeper Driscol.

The first red card of the game went to Michael Toner. The assistant referee had seen an off the ball incident which resulted in the new signing receiving a straight red card and made it an even bigger mountain to climb.

But Harlow stepped up and started to up the tempo. Harlow got a goal back through new signing Jared Small. A mishit shot from Alex Read found Small in space for him to calmly finish the chance on 77 minutes.

Harlow were desperately looking for an equaliser and got it through a penalty. David Cowleys shot was clearly handled and the referee gave the penalty. Alex Read stepped up but his penalty was parried by the keeper but Read was able to smash home the rebound. And more controversy occurred as Harlow tried to retrieve the ball to go on and get a winner. But there was again an off the ball incident but this time it was Tilbury captain Aaron Waters and Harlow Captain James Smith involved. And the referee sent both captains off leaving Tilbury with 10 men and Harlow with 9.

But the drama didn't stop there. Jake Pooley was punished for a an appalling tackle on Alex Read and received his second yellow card and left the away side with also 9 players. In one of the most dramatic games at the Harlow arena, a 2-2 draw was probably a fair result!

ATTENDANCE:171