Noto on song in Hawks win

On a difficult pitch that began to cut up immediately, Harlow went ahead early through a close-range Alex Read goal. Haringey’s 27th minute free-kick equalised before the Hawks hit back straight away through Junior Dadson to give a deserved half-time lead.

An improved Haringey created more chances after the break, and a fortuitous goal once again drew the hosts level. Mario Noto capped an excellent individual performance with the winning goal to seal the points for Harlow.

Harlow went ahead early when Mario Noto’s corner was nodded down by towering centre-back Ibrahima Sonko. Alex Read turned and volleyed the ball home from close range to take the lead.

New Harlow stopper David Hughes was tested when Joe Tabiri played in the pacey Jerome Martelli, but the ‘keeper was quick off the mark to close down the shot well.

Alex Read went close with a header, after Joe Benjamin had sent in a tempting cross, but the striker was unable to keep the ball down.

Haringey pulled level against the run of play when a foul from captain Craig Pope conceded a free kick on the edge of the area. Dan Aristidou placed the ball around the wall and low into the bottom corner, leaving David Hughes stranded in the Harlow net.

The score was level for less than a minute, as the visitors attacked straight from the kick-off. A ball into the box was hit goalwards by Junior Dadson, and although former Harlow ‘keeper Ashley Harris saved the initial effort, Dadson made no mistake with the follow up by burying the ball into the net.

The Hawks went on to control the remainder of the half, and despite the boggy pitch cutting up and turning into a mud-bath in places, they were able to play some good passing football, with Mario Noto, Junior Dadson and Alex Read linking up particularly well.

A free kick whipped in by Mario Noto was almost converted by a Junior Dadson diving header at the back post, but he couldn’t connect. Alex Read then put a half-chance wide after Craig Pope sent the striker through on goal.

Mario Noto went closest just before half-time, when he saw Harris off his line, but the 30-yard effort grazed the bar.

HT: Haringey Borough 1-2 Harlow Town

Haringey were improved after the break, and Leroy Griffiths had a great chance to draw level. Aristidou used his pace to reach the byline, but Griffiths headed the cross high and wide from a good position.

Mario Noto then forced Harris into another good save, when a delicate one-two with Alex Read set him through on goal. Harris was equal to the shot, saving from 10 yards out to frustrate Noto.

A moment of fortune saw the hosts level. After a corner was headed down in the penalty area, a goalmouth scramble saw David Hughes produce a good save from Rakim Richards. The follow-up was smashed onto the bar, only to see the ball bounce down onto the goal-line and in off the back of Hughes.

Once again, the scores weren’t level for long, Mario Noto finally getting the goal his performance deserved. Substitute Jared Small played the ball into the channel for Alex Read, who had the composure to look up and pick out a cross for Noto. The midfielder picked his spot and finished low into the corner.

Alex Read went close for the Hawks again, but he was denied by a last-gasp tackle in the box as he shaped to shoot. Layne Eadie then put a cross on a plate for Read, but his close-range header was saved expertly by Ashley Harris to deny the visitors a two goal lead.

That set up a nervy finish for Harlow, but with Haringey failing to create chances in the final period of the game, the Hawks saw out the win and were grateful to get through a tough game on a tricky surface and come away with the three points.

FT: Haringey Borough 2-3 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 89

The result moves Harlow up into 9th in the league table, with 35 points from 19 games. They are now just five points outside the playoff places.

Harlow now face a tough game at home, as AF Sudbury visit the Harlow Arena on Saturday 5Th November. Kick off is at 3:00pm.