Hawks win closes gap on league leaders

A bobbly pitch and swirling wind meant that this game was never going to be one for the purists, but Harlow’s Jamie Guy struck late on to secure the win, with his third goal in two games since signing for the club.

Chatham had enjoyed the best of the opening period, but Junior Dadson had put the visitors ahead before being pegged back on the stroke of half time.

Harlow had the first chance of the game, when on three minutes Junior Dadson rode the challenges of two defenders to unleash a curling shot towards the top corner. Ryan Nicholls in the Chatham goal was equal to the shot, tipping it around the post for a corner.

From the point it was Chatham that looked most threatening. The home side had the greater possession, but despite creating chances, the attacking line were wasteful in their shots. Joe Loft sent his effort high before Austin Edwards put his shot wide of the post, and Andrew Walker was never really tested.

Harlow took the lead against the run of play when David Cowley evaded two Chatham defenders near the corner flag. His left-footed cross was headed on by Jamie Guy at the near post, and Junior Dadson reacted quickest to hook the ball home from close range.

Chatham immediately looked for an equaliser. Kieron McCann picked up a loose ball on the corner of the area, but smashed his shot just over the bar. Joe Loft then played in Richard Davies whose long-range effort went wide of the post.

The equaliser came with the dying seconds of the half, when Davies played a long-ball forward. James Taylor flicked it on for Kieron McCann to lob over the advancing Andrew Walker, who could only turn to see the ball nestle neatly in the back of the net.

HT: Chatham Town 1-1 Harlow Town

The wind lessened after the break, and the standard of football from both sides improved much to the delight of the spectators.

David Cowley’s 25 yard free kick was easily collected by Ryan Nicholls, before Junior Appiah had a great chance to take the lead. Jamie Guy crossed in from the left, but Appiah’s free header went well over.

Chatham continued to create chances, and when a free kick fell to Richard Davies at the far side of the area the shot once again went wide. Chatham were left to rue the missed chances as the visiting Hawks upped their game.

David Cowley squared the ball to Dadson, but Nicholls was equal to his close range shot, spreading himself wide to deflect the ball out for a corner.

Harlow were peppering the goal with shots, desperate to find another goal after the news came through that title-contenders Needham Market were losing. Billy Jones saw the ‘keeper off his line, and his audacious 25 yard effort was tipped over the bar by back-peddling Nicholls.

Chatham were still a threat though. Kieron McCann ran the length of the pitch to counter-attack, before cutting in to shoot. His effort was straight at Walker and the Harlow ‘keeper punched away to safety.

As the game neared the final stages, Fabion Simms and Jamie Guy both sent long range shots over the bar, but it was Guy who scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute.

A ball into the area saw a role reversal of the first Harlow goal. Dadson headed it on, and Jamie Guy rose to put his looping header over Nicholls and into the net, to the joy of the Harlow fans behind the goal.

FT: Chatham Town 1-2 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 170

The victory makes it 6 wins in a row for the Hawks and now 8 games unbeaten. Needham Market lost their game away to in-form Heybridge Swifts, to reduce the gap between first and second to just two points.

With the important Easter period coming up, not to mention the Hawks’ visit to Needham Market, the race for the title couldn’t be tighter.

The next game for Harlow is at home to second-bottom Cray Wanderers, on Saturday 4th April with a 3pm kick off, before travelling to Ware on Easter Monday.