Read brace sees off Soham

It was an even affair in the first half, when both sides had to battle against the wind and rain, but after the break Harlow upped their tempo and took the game to the visitors.

Junior Dadson broke the deadlock soon after half time with a close finish, before Alex Read secured the points three minutes from time. Read then scored late in added time to cap a good performance.

It was sweet revenge for Harlow, who had seen their 14-match unbeaten run come to an end in the reverse fixture.

It was the visitors who went closest first, when Salim Relizani was unmarked in the box for a corner. The header was straight at David Hughes, who held comfortably.

Ibrahima Sonko then had a chance from a corner, but his headed effort was blocked on the post by Miles Smith.

The Harlow midfield were playing well to break down any attack from the visitors, with Syrus Gordon fully justifying his place back in the starting line-up. Neither side could control the game however, with the conditions playing a big part in the disjointed first half.

HT: Harlow Town 0-0 Soham Town Rangers

Harlow took the lead soon into the second period. Syrus Gordon sent a driven cross into the box from the right hand side, which hit a defender and fell to Junior Dadson. The winger smashed the ball into the net to put the Hawks ahead.

Alex Read almost doubled the advantage when he controlled Mario Noto’s cross-field ball excellently. He brought it down on his chest, but a great covering tackle from Jordan Gent prevented the striker getting a shot away.

Read then saw a powerful shot palmed to safety by Soham goalkeeper Dion-Curtis Henry. Read was getting closer and closer to getting his name on the scoresheet, but the stopper, on loan from Peterborough United, was equal to his efforts.

With just three minutes of normal time remaining, Alex Read got his goal. A corner reached the back post where Read, with his back to goal, turned and shot into the net, catching the ‘keeper unawares.

A minute later Read was through on goal, but once again Henry was quick to respond, closing down the striker quickly.

In the final minute of injury time, Harlow added a third. Leon Antoine, who had been a handful for the tiring Soham players since coming off the bench for the final minutes, powered into the box. His cut-back was simple for Alex Read, who tapped in from close range to complete the win.

FT: Harlow Town 3-0 Soham Town Rangers
ATTENDANCE: 251

The result sees the Hawks move on to 80 points from 40 games. With Thurrock dropping points, Harlow have clawed back some of the gap to the second place target.

Next up, the Hawks travel to Waltham Abbey on Easter Monday. Kick off is at 3pm on Monday 28th March.