Harlow top table after impressive win

Goals from Robbie Martin, Fabion Simms and Junior Dadson, in his first game back for the Hawks since returning to the club, were enough to see off Great Wakering Rovers with a comfortable win.

Despite Great Wakering scoring in the second half, Harlow were comfortable throughout the game and only an exceptional performance from visiting ‘keeper Adam Seal kept the scoreline down.

Harlow showed their attacking intentions from the off and took an early lead just nine minutes into the game. Top-scorer Alex Read worked well with Junior Appiah down the right flank, and Appiah pulled the ball back allowing Robbie Martin to finish low into the corner of the net.

The Hawks attackers were flowing forward at every opportunity, with both Read and Appiah having goal-bound headers saved. Robbie Martin and David Cowley then passed the ball between themselves through the Great Wakering defence to allow Martin the space to shoot from 25 yards. Adam Seal was equal to it, pushing the shot around the post for a corner.

Great Wakering seemed content to try and counter-attack, and had their best chances to score as the half went on. Tom Ranger hit wide for the visitors after being played through, and then striker Jay Nash put a header wide when he had an open goal to aim at.

In the final action of the half, Junior Appiah had a chance to double the lead when he broke through the defence, again forcing a great double-save from Seal.

HT: Harlow Town 1-0 Great Wakering Rovers

Harlow began the second half as they had left off at the break, Billy Jones first setting up a header for Read before having a good opportunity to score himself, but again the Rovers had their goalkeeper to thank that they were only one goal down.

Junior Dadson made his second debut for the club, coming off the bench on 54 minutes, and immediately made an impact on the game, his pace troubling the defence.

The second goal finally came for the Hawks on 62 minutes. A corner wasn’t cleared, and it fell to Fabion Simms to shoot into the bottom corner from 12 yards out. It was his second goal in two games, and capped off another great performance from the consistent midfielder.
Alex Read and Junior Dadson resumed their successful partnership from last season, both players worked well together to create several good opportunities for each other.

Surprisingly, it was the Great Wakering that scored the next goal on 77 minutes, entirely against the run of play. Tom Ranger counter-attacked with pace along the left flank, and his cross was met expertly by the diving header of Jay Nash to give the visitors hope.

The hope was short-lived, as just three minutes later a looping deflection fell out of the air to Junior Dadson on the edge of the area. His volley connected perfectly, and it flew into the net sealing his return to the club.

The final minutes of the game were completely dominated by Harlow, chances falling to both Dadson and Read, but despite their efforts, Seal in the visiting goal frustrated them and kept the scoreline down.

HT: Harlow Town 3-1 Great Wakering Rovers
ATTENDANCE: 323

The result moves Harlow to the top of the table, three points clear of Needham Market who didn’t play due to a heavily rain-affected match schedule. The Suffolk side now have two games in hand, but having returned to top-spot for the first time since November the Hawks will be determined to stay there.

The next game for Harlow is another home match, as Burnham Ramblers are the visitors to the Harlow Arena on Saturday 10th January. It will be a 3pm kick off.