Heybridge loss hits Hawks’ title hopes

Harlow Town took the lead early in each half, but on both occasions Heybridge Swifts were able to draw level, before taking the lead and seeing out the game.

In an action-packed game, the Swifts dealt with the tricky conditions and battled hard to come out on top in a game where Harlow were never at their best.

The hosts got off to the perfect start, Junior Dadson shooting low under the keeper on just 6 minutes.

James Smith had combined well with Layne Eadie on the left-wing, back-heeling a pass to the defender, before Smith crossed into the box. Dadson had time to compose himself before finishing well to give Harlow the lead.

Leon Antoine had a great chance to double the lead just minutes later after a great passing move put him into a goal-scoring position, but his show went just wide of the post.

The lead lasted for just ten minutes, when Heybridge’s Billy Hunt received the ball outside the area, and had time to look up before placing the shot well into the bottom corner.

The Swifts began to pressurise the Harlow defence, Charlie Hunter sending a chance well wide before Reece Morgan’s tame shot was easily collected by Ed Thompson in the Harlow goal.

As the half moved towards the break, Harlow had good opportunities to re-take the lead. Marc Gorbell, making his home debut since signing from Burnham Ramblers, rose highest at a corner to head towards goal, but the attempt was blocked by a defender on the goal-line to keep the ball out of the net.

League top-scorer Alex Read then also had a good chance when the ball fell to him in the box, but he elected to shoot from an acute angle rather than cut it back across goal, and the visiting ‘keeper Danny Sambridge saved well.

HT: Harlow Town 1-1 Heybridge Swifts

The Hawks once again came flying out of the blocks straight from the kick off. Junior Dadson with great work to dribble past three defenders before laying it off to James Smith. Smith crossed for his second assist of the game when Leon Antoine tapped the ball in from close range at the far post.

Ed Thompson was forced into a great save when he denied Billy Hunt his second of the game. The ball fell kindly in the box, but the Harlow custodian was equal to the shot, saving low to his left.

The Swifts weren’t held at bay for long, drawing level once again on 58 minutes. Dadson lost the ball in the Harlow half, and when Jack West latched onto the through-ball he calmly shot past the advancing ‘keeper into the bottom corner.

Both teams created further opportunities, but it was Heybridge that struck next. A counter-attack down the left wing found Reece Morgan free in the box to score, taking the lead for the first time in the game.

Harlow were struggling to contain the energetic Heybridge side, and the league-leaders were given no time or space on the ball.

Swifts had a golden opportunity to seal the game when they were awarded a penalty on 74 minutes. An under-hit back header from Gorbell back to Thompson was intercepted by Jack West, leaving the goalkeeper no choice to bring down the attacker, earning a yellow card in the process.

Thompson redeemed himself with a finger tip save from the resulting Penalty, tipping it onto the post, and the resulting rebound was hit well over the bar.

The Hawks were desperately looking for a third goal that would salvage a point from the game, and Alex Read had a gilt-edged opportunity when he burst through on goal. Sambridge did well though, saving to his left to push the ball out of play for a corner.

As the game edged frantically into the 90th minute there was just enough time for a final piece of drama as Heybridge were reduced to 10 men.

Junior Appiah and Heybridge defender Danny Barber tussled for the ball on the Heybridge byline and both ended up on the floor, which resulted in the Swifts defender jumping up and pulling Appiah along the ground by his legs.

Tensions were high as players from both sides were involved in the ensuing fracas, but once calm had been restored the referee produced the red card and Barger was given his marching orders.

FT: Harlow Town 2-3 Heybridge Swifts
ATTENDANCE: 224

Harlow suffered their first home league defeat in almost a year, but it was the manner of the defeat that causes most concern. The Hawks were left to rue missed chances at one end, while defensive frailties continued to haunt the back-line, and they never seemed quite comfortable on an afternoon where Heybridge adapted to the conditions better.

The next game for Harlow is away to Sudbury on Saturday 7th February. It is a 3pm kick off.