Points shared at Billericay

Harlow got off to the better start, in what was their first league game in three and a half weeks, and went ahead when Khale da Costa bundled the ball over the line on 10 minutes.

Billericay hit back before half-time with a perfectly placed free kick that nestled in the bottom corner. Both goalkeepers had a busy afternoon, with either side creating chances late on that could have taken all three points, but a draw was a fair result at full time.

The hosts laid down a marker with a good chance inside the opening six minutes. A free header from Alex Stephenson in the box should have tested David Hughes in the Harlow net, but it went wide of the post.

The Hawks took the lead with a quick break on 10 minutes. Alex Read played Joe Benjamin in behind the defence, and with Benjamin bearing down on goal, Billericay stopper Jack Giddens dived at his feet. The ball deflected to Khale da Costa who composed himself before slotting underneath a defender on the line for an ideal start.

Harlow nearly doubled the lead when Syrus Gordon chipped a ball over the defence into the path of Joe Benjamin. Benjamin unleashed a shot that was on target, but Giddens got a hand behind the ball to push out for a corner.

Billericay created chances of their own as the game flowed from end to end. Kreshnic Krasniqi’s through-ball put substitute Shane Cojocarel in behind the Harlow defence, but David Hughes reacted well to save at his feet and push the ball away for a corner.

Ade Yusuff rounded Harlow captain Craig Pope to create another good chance, but Ibrahima Sonko came across to cover with a well-timed block to deflect the shot behind goal.

The equaliser came when the Hawks conceded a free kick on the edge of the area. Ricky Sappleton sent the ball up and over the wall, tucking inside the post with precision leaving David Hughes with no chance.

Harlow thought they had taken the lead back a minute later when Alex Read again linked up with Khale da Costa, but despite da Costa’s great finish the assistant referee had raised his flag for offside.

Both sides peppered the opposition with chances in the final ten minutes of the half as they looked to take a lead into the break.

Goldy Capela’s powerful shot was well saved by David Hughes, before the goalkeeper collected Krasniqi’s header easily soon after.

Alex Read and Khale da Costa played a neat one-two to make space for the winger to release a shot, but the goalkeeper was equal to the effort.

Alex Read had been superb in dropping deep to build up play with the midfield all through the first half. He did this once again before getting into the area and releasing a shot, but again Giddens pushed it wide.

From the resulting corner Ibrahima Sonko headed down to Alex Read, but leaning backwards on the turn the striker couldn’t keep it down from six yards out.

HT: Billericay Town 1-1 Harlow Town

There was no let-up for the goalkeepers in the second period. Shane Cojocarel’s shot from a corner was heading towards goal, but David Hughes got both hands up to palm it away.

The best chance of the game so far came when Ibrahima Sonko’s long throw was headed on at the near post by Stanley Muguo. It fell to Alex Read at the back post, who managed to make space with three defenders around him, only to see his point-blank shot saved superbly by Jack Giddens on the line.

The Hawks pushed forward looking for a winner. A free kick released Mario Noto, who burst into the box before dragging a shot wide of goal.

As the game entered injury time each side will feel as though they could have won the game. Fabion Simms put a ball into the box, for Leon Antoine to smash goalwards on the half turn from 10 yards out. Terence Vancooten got a vital block on the ball with his foot to deflect the effort.

In the final moments of the game, four minutes into added time, hearts were in mouths for the Harlow following. The Hawks couldn’t seem to clear the ball, and series of corners for the hosts offered up chances.

A goalmouth scramble looked as though it could have been poked over the line at any second, but they Billericay players couldn’t knock it in with the Harlow team defending desperately to retain a hard-fought point.

FT: Billericay Town 1-1 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 430

The result leaves the Hawks in 14th position in the league table, with 24 points from the 18 league games. Only five points separate 5th place from 15th in an incredibly tight division.

Next up the Hawks turn away from the league once again, as Brightlingsea visit the Harlow Arena in the FA Trophy 2nd Round Qualifying replay. That takes place on Tuesday 22nd November with a 7:45pm kick off.