AFC Sudbury were on the front foot from the start, and took the lead within 15 minutes. The visitors were gifted a second goal from a set-piece after half-time, before a long-range effort from Sudbury’s Aaron Greene made in three.

The Hawks pulled one back through debutant Bamba Ngamb, but in a fiery end to the game, Ngamb saw red. Harlow’s Lawrence Yiga was also sent off in a melee that saw Sudbury reduced to 10 men as well.

Sudbury started brightly and could have gone ahead early when Aaron Greene and Luke Callander played a neat one-two to beat the defence. Only a last-ditch sliding tackle from Sonko stole the ball from the feet of Callander and cleared the danger.

Callander then had another chance, when a cross was then whipped across the face of goal. The striker was inches away at the back post, to deny a certain goal.

The visitors took the lead in the 14th minute after a scramble in the goalmouth. Harlow goalkeeper David Hughes parried a shot into the path of Sam Bantick, whose follow-up effort was blocked well by Harlow skipper Craig Pope. The ball deflected to Jack Newman, who picked his spot and finished low to put his side ahead.

Harlow pushed for an equaliser, forcing stopper Marcus Garnham into a string of good saves, but they couldn't find a breakthrough.

Ibrahima Sonko headed down a cross to Kieran Bishop, whose point-blank shot was somehow saved by Marcus Garnham, before Leon Antoine’s low effort was pushed away by the ‘keeper.

HT: Harlow Town 0-1 AFC Sudbury

The lead was doubled soon after the break. A Sudbury corner was headed home by Luke Callander who found himself in plenty of space, and capitalised on the poor set-piece defending from the Hawks.

The game was effectively over on 61 minutes when Aaron Greene scored a delightful third for the visitors. With Harlow goalkeeper David Hughes off his line, Greene turned and lobbed a half volley from 25 yards that seemed to spend an eternity in the air before tucking under the crossbar.

Leon Antoine could have pulled one back for Harlow with a glorious chance, but his free header from the penalty spot drifted harmlessly over the crossbar.

Sudbury weren’t content to sit back on their lead though, and could have rubbed salt into the Harlow wounds. Sam Bantick hit a cross first time, but dragged the effort just wide of the post.

Harlow managed to score a consolation in a move utilising the width of the pitch that has been a trademark of the Hawks’ play this season, albeit sadly lacking in this game. Layne Eadie overlapped on the left, before crossing to Bamba Ngamb, who tapped in to score on his first appearance for the club.

A disappointing afternoon for the Hawks only got worse, when a foul on goal-scorer Ngamb saw the player react, sparking a mass brawl in the centre of the pitch.

Ngamb was sent off for the initial retaliation, while Lawrence Yiga also saw red for his part in the melee. Sudbury’s Ryan Henshaw was given his marching orders too, leaving only 19 players on the pitch for the final few minutes.

FT: Harlow Town 1-3 AFC Sudbury
ATTENDANCE: 317

The result leaves Harlow 10th in the league with 11 points from the opening nine games.

Next up, the Hawks host Needham Market on Tuesday 27th September, which will be another tough game. Kick off is at 7:45pm.