Harlow win in 9 goal thriller!

Harlow went into the game Unbeaten in the league this season and have only been defeated by Grays in the Ryman Premier.

It was Dereham who started the game well and a lovely flowing move nearly resulted in an early goal but Luke Bailey hit his effort straight at Thompson. It was the visitors who had the next effort as well as a great ball from Clunan found the run of Hillard whose shot was easy for Thompson to handle.

Harlow were failing to create any real chances, only wild attempts from James Smith and Alex Read could slightly worry the Dereham defence.

But Harlow got the opening goal on 15 minutes. A misguided header from Matt Howard was latched on by Read who rounded the keeper and slotted into the empty net.

A second goal was later followed, this time scored by Fabion Simms. Harlow win a free kick in a dangerous area and Cowley swung in a great cross and that Simms attacked and nodded in the corner. 22 minutes..

Dereham reacted well and should have got a goal back but a great save from Thompson denied Roberts.

But Harlow made it 3-0 on 25 minutes through Read. A great through ball from Joshua Urquhart put Read through and he buried it in the far corner to put clear distance between them and the visitors.

Harlow were keeping the ball exceptionally well in the Dereham half making it even harder for the visitors to cause an unlikely comeback.
Read could have had a 35 minute hat-trick. A lovely delicate pass from Cowley put Read through and his shot on the turn was smartly saved by Wilton.

But instead of having a 35 minute hat-trick, he got a hat trick on the 40th minute. Smith stole possession in the middle of the pitch and made a storming run through the middle whilst Read shifted wide and Smith picked him out, Read cut in and unleashed an unstoppable effort to seal his hat-trick.

Down the other end, Thompson made a fantastic save to deny Luke Bailey.

A Breakaway from Dereham nearly resulted in a goal as Ryan Hawkins was allowed space on the right and it was only Thompson’s knee that stopped him from scoring an early second half goal.

Just as good as Harlow were going forward, Joshua Urquhart was very solid at the back and was displaying some fantastic long passes, one which created Reads second goal.

Dereham got a goal back through Ryan Hawkins. A cross from the right met the head of Hawkins who headed past Thompson.

Moments later Dereham were awarded a penalty. Toner allegedly fouled Ryan Hawkins and the linesman awarded the penalty and the referee agreed. Luke Tuttle stepped up and sent Thompson the wrong way. 2 goals in as many minutes.

Harlow nearly got a fifth through Eadie but his effort thundered the cross bar. But Harlow did get a fifth a minute later. Harlow won the ball back right on the edge of the Dereham area and the ball was played through to Smith who kept his composure and slotted past the keeper. Three goals in a matter of 5 minutes! 61, 63 and 66 minutes were the times of the goals.

Harlow made it 6 on the 72nd minute through a fantastic individual goal by Dave Cowley. Cowley picked up the ball in the middle of the park drove past two Dereham defenders and coolly finished into the corner.

But Dereham got the last say in this enthralling encounter. Dereham got a third soon after Cowley’s goal. A well worked move resulted in Luke Tuttle squeezing the ball past Thompson on 77 minutes. 6-3.

ATT: 227