Derby day win for Harlow

Alex Read opened the scoring for Harlow within the first 10 minutes to set the Hawks on the way to a win. The home side dominated the opening half, with Waltham Abbey barely able to muster a shot at goal.

Piers Wixon finished off a close range effort to double the lead, before a rejuvenated Waltham Abbey side improved after the break. A wonder-goal gave the visitors hope, but in torrential rain the Abbotts were unable to find an equaliser.

It was the proverbial game of two halves, as the Hawks came flying out of the blocks. Waltham Abbey had barely found their feet when Ryan Melaugh split the defence with a perfect through-ball to striker Alex Read. Read slotted past the onrushing ‘keeper to nestle in the net with only ten minutes played.

Junior Dadson twice went close to doubling the lead. Another pinpoint cross from Ryan Melaugh found Dadson at the back post, but he decided to control it rather than hit first time, allowing defender Elliott Johnson time to recover. Dadson then saw an effort smash off the post to the relief of the visitors who were under serious pressure.

The tally was doubled for the Hawks on 23 minutes. Waltham Abbey failed to clear an attack, and Layne Eadie pounced to drive a low cross into the six yard box. Piers Wixon was on hand to smash into the roof of the net from close range.

Harlow continued to press, and Junior Dadson twice sent tempting crosses into the area, only for Alex Read and Ryan Melaugh to be inches away from connecting with the ball.

The half-time break couldn’t come soon enough for the visitors, with Tom Wood the only player who was able to attempt a couple of tame shots from distance, but Harlow ‘keeper David Hughes easily gathered.

HT: Harlow Town 2-0 Waltham Abbey

Waltham Abbey came out from the break with the bit between their teeth, and with 57 minutes on the clock they had pulled one back with their first serious effort. Tom Wood, by far the most dangerous Abbey player, unleashed a fantastic strike from distance that curled inside the far post.

Harlow looked to restore the two goal cushion, with Leon Fisher beating two defenders before putting Junior Dadson in on goal. Abbey substitute Rimmel Daniel reacted well to steal the ball as the Harlow striker shaped to shoot.

With the two sides more evenly matched in the second period, and the rain lashing down, clear-cut chances were few and far between.

However, Waltham Abbey did have a gilt-edged opportunity to draw level when Rimmel Daniel found himself in space at a corner-kick, but directed the free-header well wide.

Alex Read’s lacklustre free-kick for the hosts was easily saved, before Darelle Russell shot wide for Waltham Abbey. With the clock ticking down, the Abbey goal-scorer Tom Wood blasted over the bar after a well-worked move, before Junior Dadson put a final shot wide.

Despite a less than vintage second half performance, the Hawks did enough to restrict the opportunities of the visitors and saw out the game for a third straight win over the Christmas period.

FT: Harlow Town 2-1 Waltham Abbey
ATTENDANCE: 303

After the result, the Hawks remain in 7th place, with 45 points from 24 games. With other playoff-chasing teams winning, there is no change to the league positions.

Harlow are back in action on Tuesday 5th January, when Thamesmead Town visit the Harlow Arena. It will be a 7:45pm kick off.