Seven up for Hawks

The Hawks were high on confidence going into the game, and an early close-range goal from Piers Wixon set the side on the way to a seventh straight win. Junior Dadson doubled the lead in a comfortable first half.

The hosts pulled back a late goal to set up a nervy finish, but the Hawks saw out five minutes of injury time to strengthen the playoff challenge.

After a scrappy start to the game in which both sides were wasteful in possession, Harlow went ahead with the first real attack of the game. Joe Benjamin sent a deep cross from the left to the back post which was met by Junior Dadson. The winger headed the ball down to Piers Wixon, who lofted it away from the keeper and into the roof of the net.

The recent wet weather had played havoc with the fixtures for the home side, with this their first home game of the year, and the heavy pitch was making it difficult for both teams to play any sort of football.

Ibrahima Sonko went close on the half hour mark, when he headed a corner goalwards. James Marrable in the Aveley net reacted quickly, saving with his legs to deny the Harlow defender.

Aveley were struggling to create chances, with the main creative threat coming from Liam Nash on the right wing. Nash collected a loose ball on the edge of the area, but his wayward shot blazed over the bar.

The Hawks doubled the lead when Alex Read stole possession from an Aveley defender. The striker played it out to Junior Dadson, whose angled shot deflected past Marrable for a two goal cushion.

The hosts almost hit straight back, just before half-time. Abs Seymour was played in behind the Hawks’ defence, but Harlow custodian David Hughes was off his line quickly to narrow the angle and save well and keep Aveley at bay.

HT: Aveley 0-2 Harlow Town

Hughes was called upon again soon after the break. A counter-attack from Aveley winger Liam Nash again gave Seymour a good chance to put the hosts on the scoresheet. David Hughes once again reacted well with a brilliant save, saving the first shot with his legs before preventing the follow-up effort. Ibrahima Sonko hacked away to the relief of the visitors.

Mario Noto looked to have added a third, when he received a pass from Layne Eadie and cut-inside the defence. His inswinging shot left Aveley ‘keeper Marrable stranded, but just grazed the post and went harmlessly wide.

Liam Nash had another effort that went wide, before Junior Dadson broke free to try and seal the game for the Hawks. Perry Dunn recovered well to block tackle just as the winger shot towards goal.

In the 88th minute, Aveley had the ball in the back of the net to reduce the deficit to one and set up a nervy finish. A long distance shot from Abs Seymour deflected off Liam Nash at the back post, and beat David Hughes.

The referee announced five minutes of injury time, but despite some late pressure, the Harlow defence stood strong, as they had for the majority of the game, and denied any serious threats at goal.

FT: Aveley 1-2 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 112

Harlow stay in 5th in the league table, closing the gap on Thurrock and Cray Wanderers above who both lost. The Hawks have 57 points from 28 games.

Harlow face a tough game in the next outing, with AFC Hornchurch visiting the Harlow Arena on Saturday 30th January. It will be a 3pm kick off.