Hawks blow Phoenix away

The Hawks flew into the lead inside the first minute when Mario Noto nodded home a cross from close range, before Junior Dadson’s header doubled the lead. Dadson hit his second with a beautifully taken goal, with Jared Small rounding off the scoring late in the second half.

Harlow goalkeeper David Hughes, a new signing from Enfield Town, went straight into the starting line-up, but he had barely anything to do in a rampant attacking display from the Hawks.

Joe Benjamin flew out of the traps in the first minute, attacking the Phoenix Sports penalty box before playing the ball out to Layne Eadie at the touchline. Eadie’s cross flew towards the back post where it was headed in by Mario Noto from just a foot out, to give the midfielder his first goal in a Harlow shirt.

Phoenix Sports went straight on the attack from the re-start, but a tame shot from Ricky Freeman was saved easily by David Hughes in the home net.

Junior Dadson tried an effort from distance, but failed to connect properly, before he doubled on the 12th minute. Layne Eadie supplied another trade-mark cross from the left, and Dadson angled his header perfectly to nestle inside the post.

On the half-hour mark Junior Dadson scored his second of the game. A delightful through-ball from Joe Benjamin, played with the outside of his boot, was perfectly weighted for Dadson to run clear of the defence. He deftly lobbed over the onrushing keeper to effectively put the match out of the reach of the visitors.

Mario Noto played a neat one-two with Alex Read, but Read dragged his shot wide to let off Phoenix ‘keeper Steve Phillips. The visitors then had another rare site of goal just before the break, but Freeman put a free kick narrowly wide of the post.

HT: Harlow Town 3-0 Phoenix Sports

Harlow were strong in attack after the interval, with Joe Benjamin using his strength to put the Phoenix defence under pressure. The Hawks were pressing high up the field, giving the visitors no time to play out from the back.

The visitors made their job even harder when midfielder Jason Goodchild committed two cynical fouls within minutes, each earning a booking. Phoenix boss Steve O'boyle, incensed with the red card, was himself sent to the stands for using foul and abusive language.

Phoenix Sports were almost undone when Alex Read stole the ball from a defender and played in Junior Dadson, but the effort went just wide.

Substitute Jared Small sealed the win when he smashed home from inside the penalty area. Ryan Melaugh’s corner fell to the winger, who turned and hit the ball on the bounce to fly into the roof of the net.

Deep into injury time, the Harlow clean sheet looked like it might be in danger when a scramble in the penalty box could have fallen to an attacker. Ibrahima Sonko, back in the side after an injury lay-off, cleared the danger.

FT: Harlow Town 4-0 Phoenix Sports
ATTENDANCE: 227

The result lifts Harlow two places to 12th in the league, with 32 points from 18 games. There are still plenty of games-in-hand to be played also.

Next up, the Hawks travel to Haringey Borough on Tuesday 1st December. Kick off is at 7:45pm.