Hawks held in stalemate

The game was heading for a rather drab finish without either goalkeeper having been consistently tested, when Harlow dominated the final 15 minutes to put the hosts under real pressure.

The Hawks were denied however, and had to settle for a point ahead of the big FA Trophy game at home to York City.

The first half was littered with half-chances, without either side being able to take control of the game.

Alex Read’s driven cross found Stanley Muguo in the six yard box, but with the ball tangled in his legs the midfielder couldn’t poke hoime.

Ibrahima Sonko and Syrus Gordon both had efforts on target, but Luke Ifil deflected the shots over the bar to clear the danger.

The hosts didn’t have their first sight of goal until 20 minutes. Reece Beckles-Richards took on Ibrahima Sonko in the box before squaring the ball to Rob Laney. David Hughes dived well low to his left to save at the post.

Wingate & Finchley finished the half strongly, but both Laney and Beckles-Richards squandered good chances without testing the goalkeeper.

HT: Wingate & Finchley 0-0 Harlow Town

David Hughes was called upon again soon after the restart. Beckles-Richards ran onto a through-ball, but his first touch was heavy, allowing Hughes to dive at his feet to save.

Khale da Costa played a delightful ball behind the defence for Alex Read to run on to, but Wingate & Finchley right-back Jordan Gibbons recovered brilliantly to steal possession from Read before he could release a shot.

Alex Read then put substitute Bamba Ngamb behind the defence, but Ngamb put the shot wide of the post to waste a good chance.

Jordan Gibbons was having a fantastic game as he once again dispossessed Khale da Costa and then Bamba Ngamb with recovering tackles, as the Hawks were struggling to break down the defence.

The game burst to life in the final 15 minutes with a flurry of chances. Afalabi Obafemi was open at the back post, but David Hughes pulled out a great save to parry the shot before it was hacked clear of the goalmouth.

At the other end the Hawks were creating their best chances of the game. Khale da Costa flew to the byline, but his lifted cross was inches too high for Leon Antoine to head into an open net.

Craig Pope then headed down a corner to Bamba Ngamb on the goalline, but with his back to goal the striker couldn’t turn it in. A goalmouth scramble ensued, and to the relief of the hosts the ball was hacked away.

Deep in injury time Mario Noto had a final chance, but his driven shot from the edge of the area went wide, and both sides had to settle for a point apiece.

FT: Wingate & Finchley 0-0 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 145

The Hawks move on to 38 points from 27 league games, still placed 11th in the league table.

Harlow now have a break from the league as they host York City in the FA Trophy 2nd Round on Saturday 14th January. Kick off is at 3pm.