Hawks’ away struggle continues

The hosts took the lead late on in a forgettable first half period, before Harlow piled on the pressure after the break.

Two goals in the space of three minutes knocked the wind out of the Hawks’ sails, and despite a late consolation from Alex Read, Harlow came out of an away trip with no points for the sixth time this season.

Dulwich Hamlet were on the attack early on, but resolute defending from Ibrahima Sonko, who returned to the starting line-up, and Lawrence Yiga kept the hosts at bay.

Nyren Clunis had the best chance of the half when he broke through the defence, but he sent his effort well over to the dismay of the large home crowd.

Harlow improved as the half progressed and Bamba Ngamb, deputising once again on the right wing, was a handful for Dulwich left-back Nathan Green. The final ball was lacking however, and the Hawks failed to create clear-cut chances.

With 35 minutes on the clock the hosts went ahead when Kenny Beaney put Nyren Clunis in behind the defence. The striker looked up and selflessly cut the ball back to unmarked Ibra Sekajja, who rifled home the shot from 12 yards out.

HT: Dulwich Hamlet 1-0 Harlow Town

The Hawks came out on the front foot in the second half, looking to get back into the game. A corner was cleared as far as Syrus Gordon, but his first-time shot was saved by the feet of Dulwich ‘keeper Preston Edwards.

Joe Benjamin, who had replaced the injured Fabion Simms in the first half, put in a cross for Bamba Ngamb to link up well with Jared Small, but the shot was saved by Michael Chambers as the Hawks piled on the pressure.

Syrus Gordon went close with a long range drive, before a powerful header from Ibrahima Sonko went just wide.

Harlow desperately needed to convert one of the chances, but with the Dulwich goal still intact after 20 minutes of pressure the Hawks seemed to have missed their chance.

The hosts pushed back, with Gavin Tomlin going close from 10 yards out, but a strong hand from Ed Thompson kept the ball out. Ibrahima Sonko was then on hand to block a close range effort from Ashley Carew at the back post, keeping the deficit down to one.

With 73 minutes played, the hosts doubled the lead from the penalty spot. A late challenge by Jared Small, filling in at right-back, allowed Carew to score with a well taken penalty.

Three minutes later the hosts rubbed salt in the wound when they counter-attacked with pace, leaving an extra player over at the back post. Nyren Clunis side-footed home the cross to snuff out any hope of a Harlow victory.

A late flurry for the Hawks gave the visiting supporters a little bit of hope of salvaging a point, when Alex Read nearly pulled one back. A shot from the edge of the penalty box went wide, before he was through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. A good save prevented the striker from setting up a nervy finish for the hosts.

In the final minute of injury time Dulwich surrendered their clean sheet. Alex Read was brought down in the box, and finished the resulting penalty in style, powering the ball low into the corner.

It was too little too late for the Hawks though, who have now taken just two points from a possible 24 on their travels.

FT: Dulwich Hamlet 3-1 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 750

Harlow remain on 17 points from the 15 games, 14th place in the league table.

The Hawks travel to Kingstonian for their next match on Saturday 22nd October. Kick off is at 3pm.