Dadson treble sees off Redbridge

Harlow brushed past Redbridge in a game that saw the visitors struggle to make any impact in the attacking third of the pitch. Fabion Simms put the Hawks ahead before Junior Dadson doubled the lead before half-time.

Redbridge rallied in the second half, but couldn’t muster significant chances, and Dadson scored two quick-fire goals late on to complete his hat-trick and seal an emphatic win.

The Hawks started brightest, with Junior Dadson laying down a marker early on. He broke free of the defence and into the goal area, but with Ryan Melaugh waiting in the centre he opted to shoot, dragging the effort wide.

Alex Read then tested Redbridge ‘keeper Jack Avery from close range. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, he turned the defence before powering a shot at Avery who instructively pushed the ball away for a corner.

Harlow went ahead on 22 minutes. Louis Perkins’ corner was headed goalwards by Alex Read, who saw it bounce off the bar and down into the goalmouth. With the home side appealing that the ball had crossed the line, Fabion Simms reacted first to make sure of it, heading into the net.

After the goal, Redbridge began to pass the ball better, but they were restricted to speculative efforts from distance, which were causing Niklas Freund no trouble in the Harlow net.

Harlow were struggling to retain possession for long periods, but as half-time approached the lead was doubled. Ibrahima Sonko volleyed out from the defence, beating the Redbridge back-line and turning defence to attack in one move. Junior Dadson ran onto the ball and lofted it over the onrushing ‘keeper.

HT: Harlow Town 2-0 Redbridge

After the interval the Hawks began to press straight away and Alex Read looked keen to get on the scoresheet. Ryan Melaugh’s cross fizzed across the goal, missing the striker’s outstretched foot by a yard. Read then saw a penalty appeal turned down when his legs were taken from under him, but the defender reached the ball first.

As the half progressed, the home side seemed to sit back and invite Redbridge into the game. Ronnie Winn looked most likely to score for the visitors, but still couldn’t really test Freund. Winn’s header went wide of the post, and then his shot was charged down by Ibrahima Sonko to frustrate the winger.

Urged on by boss Danny Chapman, Harlow began to press the Redbridge players and were soon dominating possession again. Louis Perkins put a header just over before Ryan Melaugh’s left-footed shot went across goal and wide of the post.

Into the final ten minutes, Harlow scored two quick goals to finish off the Redbridge resistance. A poor clearance from a Harlow corner fell to Alex Read who darted to the byline. He squared the ball to Junior Dadson waiting in the centre, who had time to control the ball and compose himself before hitting past the keeper.

Just a minute later, in almost a mirror image of his second goal, Dadson secured his hat-trick. It was Fabion Simms who reached the byline, crossing for the grateful Dadson to tap in from 5 yards out.

FT: Harlow Town 4-0 Redbridge
ATTENDANCE: 244

The Hawks controlled the game, although there were periods when they were careless in possession. The result sees Harlow move up to sixth place in the league, with 11 points from the opening six games.

The next game for Harlow is on Saturday 5th September, away to Brightlinesea Regent. Kick-off is at 3pm.