Harlow welcomed Tonbridge Angels to the Harlow Arena, looking for their first win in 2017. Their opponents Tonbridge arrived on the back of a four match unbeaten streak, winning three and had their sights firmly set on the play offs after being one point off prior to kick off.

The opening exchanges of the game saw Harlow trying to utilise the pace of Jared Small and Junior Dadson early on, with full-backs Craig Pope and Layne Eadie venturing forward on any occasion. For Tonbridge, they resulted in a more direct approach using the aerial ability of striker Nathan Elder, flicking the balls onto fast striker Alex Akrofi.

Fabion Simms had the first half chance of the contest on nine minutes, glancing a header well wide of the Tonbridge goal. Four minutes later, he was nearly on the end of a fast flowing move ended by Alex Read’s cross, however keeper Anthony Di Bernardo clawed the ball before the midfielder could make contact.

Harlow were on the front foot and there was a clear improvement in their performance compared to the previous game, looking much sharper throughout the pitch.

Angels centre-back Mitchell Nelson dragged a shot harmlessly wide after utilising the long throw tactic by winger Luke Blewden. Nathan Elder then used his aerial prowess to head over from inside the box in a game that was proving to be a tight affair and clear cut chances were at a premium.

The first real chance presented the first goal and only goal of the game on 32 minutes. A lovely weighted pass from creative midfielder Mario Noto played Junior Dadson through on goal. He steadied himself well but cannoning a right foot drive off the post and into the back of the net to give Harlow a deserved lead.

This gave Harlow the impetus to put further pressure on their opponents, the impressive Noto pulling the strings once again. This time he provided a clever reverse pass back to Alex Read, who was chasing his 150th goal in Harlow colours. The striker stung the palm of Di Bernando between the sticks.

Approaching half time, and Tonbridge could have been level. Again Nathan Elder with his aerial threat, directed a looping header that was destined for the top corner but the intervention of full back Layne Eadie prevented the ball crossing the line and Harlow went into halftime with a 1-0 lead which they had deserved.

HT: Harlow Town 1-0 Tonbridge Angels

Tonbridge had been going through the motions within the first half, and didn’t look like a team fighting for the play offs. The second half started with most of the play within the Tonbridge half with no chances to show for it. The game was somewhat surprisingly stretched already, with an end to end feel to the start of this half.

Harlow had a clam for a penalty just before the hour mark. Junior Dadson produced a lovely flick over the defence for Alex Read to latch onto, and with centre half Mitchell Nelson on the wrong side of the forward, he bundled him over however nothing was given.

Tonbridge had offered very little, but Jack Parter tried to conjure up something special by himself, setting on a weaving run before slicing his shot high and wide.

Tonbridge’s best chance arrived on 80 minutes, but it was a relatively comfortable save for Hughes following a Ugo Udoji header, with the attacker getting no power behind it.

Junior Dadson then curled a shot wide of the post on 84 minutes as Harlow went in search of breathing space.

In the dying seconds Luke Allen was inches away from snatching a point with a deflected volley veering just wide of the post.

However, the whistle blew for full time and Harlow had their first win of 2017 and also kept up their record of always scoring in home matches this season.

FT: Harlow Town 1-0 Tonbridge Angels
ATTENDANCE: 286

The gap closes to four points between these two sides, as Harlow move into 10th with 41 points. The Hawks are back in action on Tuesday against Met Police at the Harlow Arena. It’s a 7:45pm kick off.