Hawks On Top In Six Goal Thriller!

Having just demolished Park View 4-0 in by far one of the strangest away days we’ve had in our recent history, Danny Chapman’s men began to focus on the next home game: a side that we’d beaten 4-0 just 2 weeks prior in the FA Vase, Newbury Forest. Despite crumbling in front of the Hawks previously, Newbury found themselves just two points behind us in the league. It begged the question, will they give us a run for our money, or fall apart again?

Newbury Forest’s manager clearly saw room for improvement following their previous defeat, opting to make 7 changes in anticipation of the game. In contrast, Chapman decided only one change was necessary from our triumph vs Park View, bringing Gavin Cockman back into the side after being rested previously.

The opening punches came from the away side; Chaka Barnett danced through with the ball at his feet, changing direction about a dozen times before deciding to eventually shoot, his effort traversing just wide of the post.

Despite the opening swings from the blues, it was the reds that landed the first blow. Our set-piece success continued as a corner flew in, was headed on and like a seagull, desperately scavenging for food, Gavin Cockman picked up the pieces once again to fire it home early on.

A free kick opportunity soon emerged at a fairly tight angle, but with free-kick specialist Ruben Santos a devastating outcome was to be expected. He unleashed a strike, looking for the bottom left corner; nobody in the box could reach it apart from Newbury goalkeeper Harrison Cole – who palmed it away to safety – Harlow continuing to threaten Forest.

After Cole had been “sin binned” and forced to leave the pitch temporarily, Newbury Forest had no choice but to switch keepers which gave the Hawks an extra boost and even more of a reason to blast shots at the opposition goal. Resultantly, only a matter of seconds had passed before Taylor Hastings headed home from yet another corner and Newbury Forest had a reason to panic once again.

Mere minutes later, Newbury capitulated at the back straight from kick off. Gavin Cockman swept up the ball and before you know it, a moment of Junior Dadson marvel rolled back the years, with a weak foot low strike way beyond the reach of the keeper, his first goal since returning to the club, and the lead extended to three.

As the second half begun, it was evident that Newbury Forest heads had dropped slightly and they were punished after another set piece led to another Taylor Hastings bullet header, which was saved terrifically by Harrison Cole but unfortunately for the blues de ja vu surrounded them as the formidable Ishaq Ameen was there to slide home the rebound and that dreaded scoreline reoccurred, Harlow led by 4.

However, the away side’s spirit had not vanished entirely. Daniel Addo unleashed a great top-right corner effort beyond the reach of James Pellin, giving Newbury Forest a consolation and in a moment of madness, Aron Meshi took a corner that flew into the top right corner of James Pellin’s goal, giving them yet another.

In the end, the lead was simply too steep of a mountain to climb for Newbury Forest, who ran out of time and ultimately went home with no points. Another great team display was on show yet again and a great three points were taken in anticipation of Tuesday’s game vs St Margaretsbury.

Thank you all once again for your continued support.