Hawks in Romford upset

Romford outfought Harlow in the first half to take a deserved two goal lead into the break, which could have been worse for the Hawks thanks to a woeful defensive display.

A much improved Harlow drew level through Alex Read and Lewis Perkins, before Romford scored twice with two well-taken goals. A late penalty from Read set up a blistering finish as the Hawks threw themselves forward, but it wasn’t enough for the visitors whose slump in form continues.

Romford had a purpose about their game, and pressed close to the Harlow attackers at every opportunity. The Hawks were struggling to retain possession, and it was Romford who were creating chances in the opening period.

The hosts were fast in attack, and on two occasions it was only scrambled clearances that prevented Romford taking an early lead.

Harlow had chances of their own, but Mario Noto’s free kick was easily gathered by Gooch in the Romford net. Joe Benjamin and Alex Read then dragged shots wide as Harlow failed to test the goalkeeper’s abilities.

The visitors had been riding their luck, and then breakthrough game with almost half an hour played. A mix-up between stand-in goalkeeper Jack Ryan and Ibrahima Sonko gifted an opportunity for Romford’s Danny Cossington to pass into an open net.

Michael Dixon had a great chance to double the lead within a minute, beating the Harlow offside trap, but he dragged his effort wide.

Harlow’s best chance fell to Junior Dadson after a great ball over the top of the defence from Mario Noto, but Dadson elected to chip the ‘keeper and it went over the crossbar.

In first half injury time Romford scored their second. Jamie Dicks’ free kick was headed down to Michael Dixon, who made no mistake with the close range finish.

Having played almost the perfect half of football, Romford were almost their own undoing when a long ball forward was headed back to the goalkeeper by defender Tom Potter. Romford custodian Gooch had come off his line to collect, and only a mad scramble back towards his own goal prevented an undeserved goal for Harlow.

HT: Romford 2-0 Harlow Town

Danny Chapman rang the changes at half-time,with Leon Antoine replacing Piers Wixon, and the Hawks were sent out early for the second period. Whatever the Harlow boss had said at half time worked, as the visitors were quicker on the ball and immediately played with much more purpose.

Harlow needed an early goal to get back into the game, and on 54 minutes their improved play was rewarded. A corner from Mario Noto was headed goalwards by Ibrahima Sonko, but Tom Potter cleared off the line. The ball fell kindly to Alex Read who smashed into the roof of the net from two yards out.

Harlow were now piling on the pressure as Romford began to sit deeper. Lewis Perkins replaced Joe Benjamin, and had an immediate impact on the game. Perkins received the ball on the edge of the box from Mario Noto, and controlled well before finishing low to equalise.

The visitors were on the ascendancy, and although they seemed the most likely to score Romford hit them with a sucker-punch. Dicks received the ball from wide right, and curled a 25 yard shot past the outstretched fingers of Jack Ryan and into the top corner for a sublime goal.

Harlow desperately tried to find a way back into the game, and when the ball fell to Layne Eadie on the edge of the area, his driven shot was expertly tipped over the bar.

Into the first minute of injury time, and Defensive mistakes were to be the undoing for Harlow again to allow Romford to regain the two goal cushion. Ibrahima Sonko was caught in possession on the right hand touchline by Akwasi Marfo, who powered towards goal and shot low past Ryan.

The game wasn't finished with a frantic five minutes of added time to play. Ibrahima Sonko powered a header into the underside of the bar, before Leon Antoine had his legs taken from under him in the penalty area.

Alex Read despatched the spot kick, but it was too little, too late as Harlow ran out of time, succumbing to a battling Romford side who went some way to ensuring their league survival with an important win.

FT: Romford 4-3 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 115

The result sees the Hawks remain in fourth place on 77 points. With one of the games-in-hand used up, Harlow will need other teams to slip up to achieve second place.

Next up, the Hawks will be looking to bounce back as they host Soham Town Rangers on Saturday 26th March, before travelling to Waltham Abbey on Easter Monday. Both games are a 3pm kick off.