Hawks’ poor away form continues

A scrappy early goal for the hosts set the tone for the game, before defensive mistakes were punished again on the half hour mark to give Grays a two goal lead.

Harlow pulled a goal back just before half time through Ibrahima Sonko, but a long range effort in the second half sealed the win in a poor game.

Things couldn’t have started any worse for Harlow when the defence failed to clear the ball and Etienne Mukanya Kabobola picked up a rebound and found space to shoot home for an early lead.

The Hawks were struggling to find any fluency in their attack, with attempts at goal limited. Mario Noto’s cut back from the byline was cut out by Jordan Aghatise, with Alex Read waiting just behind to pounce had the cross reached him.

Read then collected the ball on the edge of the area, but his turn-and-shot went wide in a rare sight of goal.

Harlow’s tame defensive effort was punished again with 30 minutes on the clock. A low shot from Lheureux Menga beat goalkeeper Ed Thompson, making his second start of the season. Despite Layne Eadie scrambling back to clear the shot, the ball crossed the line for a goal.

Harlow’s best opportunity came from a Leon Antoine header. The big striker directed a corner towards goal, but defender Jamie Stewart was on hand to head the effort clear of goal.

Just before half time the Hawks did manage to pull a goal back. Mario Noto put a free kick into the danger area, and Ibrahima Sonko’s glancing header was enough to beat Callum Thomas in the Grays net.

HT: Grays Athletic 2-1 Harlow Town

The standard of the game continued in the second half, with neither side managing to gain a foothold in the game and shots on target few and far between.

Harlow did have a good 10 minute spell of pressure early in the second half, but they were unable to make it count. Mario Noto’s central free kick from just outside the bar went high and wide, causing the Grays stopper no trouble at all.

Ibrahima Sonko headed down a corner to the back post but Alex Read, on the turn, was unable to hook the ball goalwards.

The wind was taken out of the Harlow sails, and the game effectively killed off, when Grays Athletic scored a third on 63 minutes. Harry Watkins collected the ball from just inside the Harlow half and his effort dipped and swerved, flying over the head of Ed Thompson.

Fabion Simms was in a good position to set up a Harlow comeback, but he was leaning back as he took his shot from inside the area, and the ball was always going well over.

Harlow were unable to find a breakthrough, and the Grays defence held firm, especially Nathan Campbell who cleared the ball every time it came near him.

It was a poor game in truth, with Grays scoring with their three shots on target and Harlow managing even fewer, but the result consigns the Hawks to three losses in the last four league games.

FT: Grays Athletic 3-1 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 163

The result leaves Harlow in 11th position with 14 points from 11 games. All other teams around them though have games in hand.

Next, Harlow have a very difficult trip to second-placed Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday 8th October. It’s a 3pm kick off.