Hawks win on league return

It was Harlow’s first league match for three weeks, and despite being an underwhelming match for most of the afternoon, Harlow never looked in danger of losing.

Layne Eadie put the hosts ahead on the half hour, with a lob over Will Viner in the Dereham net. Both ‘keepers were forced into saves, but with most of the game spent in the midfield, neither side could gain any momentum. Junior Dadson then crushed any hopes of a Dereham fight-back with a second in the dying minutes of the game.

The visitors had the first sight of goal, forcing Niklas Freund into a good save, but it was the Hawks who had the first major attack of the game, leading to the first goal.

Dereham defended a corner, but the clearance only went as far as Fabion Simms on the edge of the area. His half-volley smashed off the bar, and it was Layne Eadie who reacted quickest, lobbing the rebound over the stranded goalkeeper to take the lead.

Alex Read almost made it two after a good build-up put him through on goal. A one-two between Syrus Gordon and Junior Dadson was played over the top by Gordon and into the path of Read. Viner was off his line quickly and saved well with his legs.

Just two minutes later Viner thwarted Read again. Fabion Simms crossed to Read, whose shot went through a number of bodies towards the goal. Viner again saved well to keep his side in the game.

HT: Harlow Town 1-0 Dereham Town

Dereham again had their goalkeeper to thank, when Leon Antoine connected with a corner. The towering striker headed powerfully towards goal, and somehow Viner tipped the ball over the bar.

Dereham began to fashion chances of their own, with Rhys Logan blazing over from within the area, although he really should have done better. Luke Tuttle and substitute James Cooper both had gilt-edged chances to equalise, but both put their open headers wide without threatening the Harlow goal.

Daniel Morphew did at least test Niklas Freund, but the German was equal to his close-range header, saving well.

As the game looked as though it would be settled by just the single goal, a good break down the left by Joe Benjamin undid the visitors. Benjamin beat two defenders to put a cross on a plate for Junior Dadson, who just had to side-foot into the net to give an unassailable lead and seal the three points.

FT: Harlow Town 2-0 Dereham Town
ATTENDANCE: 260

Next up for the Hawks, they are back in FA Cup action away to Braintree Town in the 4th Qualifying Round on 24th October. Kick off will be 3pm.