Dulwich Hamlet stepped up a gear in the second period, seeing their rewards when Ashley Carew rifled home a stunning effort from 25 yards out. Soon after Daniel Carr took the lead for the visitors, who didn’t allow Harlow back into the game.

It was a frenetic start to the game with some furious end-to-end football, but Harlow took the lead early on. A free kick into the opposition box from Mario Noto found Alex Read, whose glancing header left the Dulwich goalkeeper stranded.

Noto’s dead-ball delivery was on point again soon after, finding Jared Small free at the back post, but the winger’s volley hit the ground first before being gathered by Preston Edwards in the away net.

Dulwich should have equalised on 18 minutes when Nyren Clunis put Kenny Beaney behind the Harlow defence, but a lack of composure with David Hughes bearing down on him saw him put it wide.

The Harlow defence were holding firm, and despite probing runs from Clunis and another shot from Beaney, the Hawks were dealing with everything thrown at them.

Harlow nearly doubled the lead after 36 minutes when a corner was headed back across goal by Fabion Simms. Joe Benjamin headed goalwards from just six yards out, but a phenomenal diving save from Dulwich stopper Edwards tipped the ball away from the top corner.

Michael Chambers had a good chance to equalise for the visitors just before half-time, but his close range header went beyond the post.

HT: Harlow Town 1-0 Dulwich Hamlet

Hamlet’s Mark Weatherstone picked up a clearance on the edge of the area and Dulwich started to apply more pressure, but he blazed over without troubling Hughes.

At the other end, Preston Edwards was once again on hand to keep the deficit down to one. Mario Noto’s driven ball into the box was poked towards goal from close range by Alex Read, but the ‘keeper was equal to it with another low diving save.

The Hawks were seeing less and less of the goal as the half went on, and Gavin Tomlin signalled the attacking intentions of the visitors with a mazy run into the Harlow half. His low shot was held well by David Hughes, but he had no chance with the goal that came minutes later.

A corner was cleared only as far as Ashley Carew 25 yards out, and the midfielder picked his spot and smashed a shot towards the top corner. The ball spectacularly ricocheted off the crossbar and into the net to draw the visitors level on 67 minutes.

Six minutes later Dulwich took the lead. Nyren Clunis, who had been skilful and dangerous on the ball all game, dribbled into the penalty area on the left before putting a deep cross to the back post. Daniel Carr headed back across goal and into the goal.

The goal difference could have been greater if not for another great save from David Hughes. Clunis battled his way through several defenders on the left before cutting back for substitute Roman Michael-Percil, but Hughes got down low to his right to make the save.

With full-time approaching and the game becoming even more stretched, a long ball forward from Craig Pope found Leon Antoine in the box, but his header from 12 yards out went wide.

In truth, a Harlow equaliser wouldn’t have been a fair reflection on the game, and the visitors finished the game with a well-earned three points. The Hawks, meanwhile, were left to rue the missed chances and great saves when the scoreline was still 1-0.

FT: Harlow Town 1-2 Dulwich Hamlet
ATTENDANCE: 328

The result leaves Harlow 19th in the league table, with three points from the opening four games.

The Hawks host Wingate and Finchley next in the Ryman Premier Division, on Saturday 27th August. Kick off is at 3:00pm.