The Hawks failed to truly test the hosts until late on in the game, but an Enfield counter-attack in injury time added a third to compound Harlow’s misery.

It was a tentative opening few minutes, with chances few and far between. Ibrahima Sonko went closest for the Hawks when he sent a header wide of the post.

Fabion Simms then picked up a loose ball in the opposition area, but he was leaning back and the effort flew over the bar.

The Enfield Town players began to take control of the half. Mickey Parcell breezed past several Harlow defenders before sending a low shot just wide of the post, in what was a warning shot for the visitors.

Bobby Devyne also grazed the post, before right-back Jon Muleba saw his shot well-saved by Hawks stopper David Hughes.

The best chance of the half came ten minutes before the break. Fabion Simms crossed from the byline to Jared Small at the back post, but Tyler Campbell was one of a number of defenders on the line to clear from danger.

HT: Enfield Town 0-0 Harlow Town

Enfield took the lead on 49 minutes. A ball from wide left somehow made its way across a congested penalty area to Mark Kirby at the back post. He took one touch before smashing home a half-volley, to cap a wonderful overall display from the defender.

The second goal came eight minutes later. Dernell Wynter bundled his way through the defence, before rounding the goalkeeper and sliding home. The Harlow players were up in arms after it looked as though the striker had pulled back Layne Eadie, but the referee turned a deaf ear to the protests.

The flow of the game was interrupted by a series of fouls and substitutions, and once again both sides dug in and the quality of the game suffered.

Harlow substitutes Leon Antoine and Khale da Costa combined to set-up another chance, but da Costa saw his shot from s yards out blocked at close range by Jon Muleba.

Enfield had been a danger on the counter-attack all game, and they continued to threaten as the game entered the final 15 minutes. Billy Crook blazed over a good opportunity that would have killed off the game.

A poor clearance from David Hughes found Enfield midfielder Tyler Campbell who played in Bobby Devyne for a one-on-one chance. Hughes recovered to save well.

Inside injury time Khale da Costa sent a shot goalwards in search of a consolation, but Nathan McDonald palmed the effort away. The ball was hacked clear to set up another counter-attack. Although David Hughes saved the first effort, he couldn’t stop the follow up which signalled a dismal end to the Hawks’ afternoon.

FT: Enfield Town 3-0 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 550

With no other side in the top 15 losing, Harlow drop to 11th in the league table, with 33 points from 24 games.

Next up, the Hawks have an opportunity to capitalise on a number of home games, starting with Leatherhead on New Year’s Eve. It’s a 3pm kick off.