Hawks loss dents title hopes

Two second half goals did the damage in a game where Harlow failed to really make any impact. The first half had been an open affair, with both sides creating chances in end-to-end attacks, but a combination of good goalkeeping and lacklustre shots kept it goalless.

Cray were the better side after the break, scoring soon after the re-start, and a frustrated Harlow were unable to stamp any authority on the game. When the second goal went in the Hawks were resigned to a loss that could be a set-back in the race for the title.

Harlow had started brightly, when in only the second minute Billy Jones chipped a cross to the back post and Junior Appiah headed wide.

Layne Eadie then latched onto a punched clearance from Cray goalkeeper Luke Colquhoun, but his powerful shot went wide of the post.

Cray were also dangerous in the attacking third, and if it wasn’t for Andrew Walker in the home net they could have taken the lead. Tom Ayotomiwa, who was a handful for the Harlow defence all game, powered into the area but mis-hit his shot for Walker to gather easily.

Ayotomiwa forced Walker into another save just minutes later when he latched onto a through-ball, only for the Hawks stopper to turn it away at point blank range.

Joshua Urquhart’s headed clearance fell to Orlando Smith whose low, hard shot again called on Walker to parry the ball away.

Junior Dadson looked likely to be Harlow’s best outlet for a goal, and he had a good opportunity to score when he ran onto Janie Guy’s through ball, but he dragged his left-footed shot wide.

As the half came to a close, the Hawks had the clearest chance of the game to take the lead. Junior Dadson back-heeled to Layne Eadie, who reached the byline and crossed to the back post. Junior Appiah was waiting just yards from goal, but opted to jump and volley rather than head the ball, and ultimately the shot went over.

HT: Harlow Town 0-0 Cray Wanderers

The second half couldn’t have started any worse for the home side. On 47 minutes Tom Ayotomiwa again raced down the right wing and into the Harlow area, firing a shot across Walker and into the bottom left corner of the net.

The Harlow players looked a different side to those that had notched six league wins in a row, and they barely seemed to have returned to the game after the half-time interval.

Cray were dominant for much of the second half, striker Carl Rook and Ayotomiwa causing problems for the Harlow defence. If it wasn’t for last-ditch tackles from Joshua Urquhart and Warren Goodhind the score could have been even worse.

The visitors continued to frustrate Harlow players and supporters alike, reducing the tempo of the game. The Hawks in turn resorted to playing the ball long, but with little joy.

It wasn’t until 15 minutes from the end that Harlow created their first chance of the second half. David Cowley crossed to substitute Leon Antoine at the far side of the area, who’s returned the ball into the 6 yard box only to see Billy Jones’ header deflected wide.

The killer blow came in the 83rd minute, when Cray broke on the counter-attack. Chris Piper streaked into the right hand side of the area, and squared the ball to Alex Teniola who had the simple task of poking the ball into an open net from five yards out.

FT: Harlow Town 0-2 Cray Wanderers
ATTENDANCE: 251

The disappointing result and performance sees Harlow miss the chance to re-take top spot in the league, with Needham Market only drawing away at Wroxham.

The Hawks are now on 93 points from 41 games, three points behind Needham.

There’s no time for Harlow to dwell on the result, as they travel to Ware for the Bank Holiday Monday fixture needing no less than three points. Kick off is at 3pm on Monday 6th April.