Frustration Echoed As Hawks Beaten By Dunmow Town

A frustrating day says the least, regarding last Saturday’s result against Dunmow. On one hand, our record crowd of the season of 507 people gathered for an exhilarating top-of-the-table contest between two fantastic clubs. The game itself didn’t disappoint on that level, despite the score being in the away side’s favour.

With Gavin Cockman having picked up 5 yellow cards and earning a suspension, and Ishaq Ameen being ruled out after a road closure, we went forward with Junior Dadson leading the line, with Josh Brown and Roman Percil on either wing.

Harlow began the game as the dominant force, with an early headed opportunity for Fabion Simms from a corner flying over the bar, and not long after from one Jack to another, Martin found Cousins but unfortunately for him, the header lacked conviction and was ultimately catching practice for Jordan Hudson.

Before the game had really got going, Jack Martin suffered an injury to his foot and was forced into an early exit with the young Bobby Kirby taking over in the left-back position. Throughout the entire game, Dunmow forward Joshua Osude was a man on a mission and he made no mistake on grabbing an early chance at goal. Fortunately, James Pellin was equal to it and recovered the ball immaculately.

The chances just seemed endless for Harlow in the opening minutes, with Roman Percil denied an open goal by masterful defending; Bobby Kirby beautifully picking out Josh Brown who’s header left the supporters stunned as it glazed over the bar; Dunmow’s own defender almost found his own net; Jack Cousins decided to have a crack from 20 yards and Jordan Hudson had to be on his toes and Roman Percil curled one into the bottom right corner, but a great save from Hudson followed.

The Hawks could’ve been three goals up, but it was Dunmow who quickly hit on the break and took charge. Joshua Osude found Rgee Manyewe in acres of space in the box, who smashed it into the roof of the next and to the disbelief of all 507 supporters, the league leaders were on top.

Half time came soon enough, and no one in the stadium could believe the score, considering the chances we’d had. Dunmow’s clinicality proves their success already this season and unfortunately, Harlow had become a victim of it.

The second half started much the same as the first with another headed opportunity from a corner going begging for Harlow. Junior Dadson came the closest of anybody up to this point with a sleek piece of anticipation to knock it past Jordan Hudson. It seemed the ball would roll into the empty net, but instead the post came in the way and in an act of desperation, Dunmow had it clear.

A Tom Jelliman blocked effort was the only Harlow chance before Lewis Nial sent Joshua Osude through on goal magnificently. Osude’s strike hit Alex Luque’s boot, which sent the ball in the opposite direction and over the head of a scrambling James Pellin – Harlow really did have a mountain to climb.

Chances continued to fall for the Hawks, as Junior Dadson struck wide and more headed opportunities came to nothing. Only a quick free kick from Lewis Nial could give Dunmow yet another shot with Osude in on goal. This time however, James Pellin pulled off heroics and made an unbelievable save with his feet.

A scramble in the Dunmow penalty box ended with Junior Dadson hitting the post yet again and after a shout for a penalty, Osude sprinted past Alex Luque, Pellin scrambled to grab the ball but Osude beat him and it was becoming a cricket score.

A late foul on Jack Cousins gave him a chance to grab a consolation. Cousins took the penalty and dispatched it, but it was simply too late on in the game for a comeback and resultantly Dunmow were victorious.