Hawks see off Maldon & Tiptree

Lifted by the news that top-scorer Alex Read had a place on the bench following an injury lay-off, Harlow nevertheless found themselves behind to an early goal.

The Hawks got back in the game thanks to a bit of good fortune, an own goal drawing the scores level, before Jamie Guy converted a penalty and then set-up Junior Dadson in the second half to secure the win.

The visitors started brightly, and despite being on a poor run of form they made their intentions known early on when in just the fifth minute a free kick curled just over the bar.

It was a warning shot not heeded by the Harlow defence and a minute later Maldon & Tiptree took the lead. After a counter-attack down the left, former Hawk Sos Yao powered a low shot across Walker and into the far corner.

Harlow sparked to life, and Junior Dadson had a good chance to equalise. David Cowley crossed in from the right and Leon Antoine collected to lay off to Dadson, but he found his shot saved by the ‘keeper’s legs to go over.

After 16 minutes Harlow drew level. Robbie Martin sent an inswinging free kick into the box, and Marc Gorbell rose above the crowd to head down into the 6 yard box. The ball careered off the leg of visiting Mason Bloomfield to go into the net for an own goal.

The equaliser was the cue for the home side to step up their game and the Maldon & Tiptree defence were under serious pressure. A ball into the box was cleared only as far as Junior Dadson on the edge of the area, but his volley was straight at Darren Behcet and the former Harlow ‘keeper collected well.

The pressure told as the Hawks took the lead. Fabion Simms split the defence with a delightful through-ball, and David Cowley ran onto the ball in the area. His nimble feet rounded three defenders in the space of only a few yards before being brought down for a penalty. Jamie Guy stepped up to score his second penalty in as many games, giving the ‘keeper no chance.

HT: Harlow Town 2-1 Maldon & Tiptree

Harlow started the second half as they ended it, and just ten minutes after the restart they chalked up another goal. Jamie Guy turned his defender in the area and flashed a cross across the face of the goal. Junior Dadson beat his marker to tap home from just a yard out.

Harlow had further opportunities to really put the game to bed. Firstly, Leon Antoine was just inches away from a Junior Dadson cross and couldn’t convert into the empty net. Dadson himself then had a chance for a second goal, but his first-time volley didn’t connect and it trickled wide.

As the half wore on, Maldon & Tiptree were more threatening and the home side took their foot off the gas. Mason Bloomfield sent his left-footed striker over, before Andrew Walker was called into action to palm away a powerful volley from Alex Andrews.

Jonathon Nzengo found space inside the area, but he too found the Hawks custodian equal to the shot, and Harlow saw the game out for yet another vital three points.

FT: Harlow Town 2-1 Maldon & Tiptree
ATTENDANCE: 226

The win puts Harlow on 99 points, still a point off league-leaders Needham Market. Now guaranteed at least second place, the Hawks can go into next weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with nothing to lose. A Harlow win will put the title firmly in the hands of the Hawks, while a draw would rely on other results going Harlow’s way. A win for Needham Market, however, will take the title to Suffolk.

With a supporter’s coach amongst the travelling support, there is bound to be a huge crowd in what will be the biggest game for Harlow since the playoff final last season.

Kick off is at 3pm on Saturday 18th April away to Needham Market FC.