Harlow rue missed chances

The visitors took an early lead when a goal was scrambled in after just seven minutes. Harlow tried to mount a fight-back, but the game descended into a midfield battle with the hosts coming off second best.

Despite several close efforts in the second period, the usually potent Harlow stroke force couldn’t find a breakthrough to get back into the game, and Brightlingsea held out to secure a vital three points.

The visitors went ahead when a low cross found Terry Rymer in the 6 yard box. David Hughes reacted brilliantly to get a hand to the shot, but Rymer followed up scoring in off the crossbar.

Sam Cowler then produced a fine double save to preserve his team’s lead. Jared Small’s goal-bound header was heading in before the ‘keeper parried the effort away. He then reacted well to save Alex Read’s follow-up shot to deny the striker.

Jake Clowsley then tested David Hughes once again, when he broke through the offside trap, but Hughes got down low to save well.

Harlow did have the ball in the back of the net, when Alex Read pounced onto a spilled save, but to the dismay of the home crowd the referee’s assistant raised his flag for offside.

Most of the play was in the centre of the pitch, with neither side managing to take control of proceedings. As the half drew to a close, Alex Read forced another spectacular save from Cowler, when he broke through on goal, but the ‘keeper saved well to his left.

HT: Harlow Town 0-1 Brightlingsea Regent

Harlow had much more of the ball in the second half, and continued to create chances, but solid defending from the visitors combined with poor finishing meant that Harlow still struggled to get back in the game.

Mario Noto had a free kick from perfect shooting range, but it went high and wide without troubling Cowler. Alex Read then had an effort from inside the area, but it was deflected wide.

Harlow’s top-scorer Junior Dadson met Jared Small’s low cross, but the connection was poor and it was sliced out of play.

Alex Read seemed certain to score, but John Gould blocked the effort a couple of yards from goal, before Ibrahima Sonko’s towering header from a corner grazed the post.

Despite the chances, the Hawks couldn’t find a breakthrough. At the other end, David Hughes barely had a shot to save in the second period, although the visitors were still working hard in the midfield area.

In the fifth minute of added time, Piers Wixon played Alex Read in behind the defence, but instead of releasing a shot first time the striker hesitated and cut back inside, allowing the defenders to recover and clear the danger.

With that, the full-time whistle went and Harlow were resigned to their first loss at home since early December.

FT: Harlow Town 0-1 Brightlingsea Regent
ATTENDANCE: 291

The Hawks remain on 76 points from 37 games. With 9 games left to play, they are four points behind second-placed Thurrock with a game in hand.

Next up for the Hawks is a visit to Maldon & Tiptree on Saturday 19th March. It’s a 3:00pm kick off.