Second half Hawks see off Met

A much improved second half saw Harlow Town crank up the pressure and score twice to keep their outside hopes of a playoff spot alive.

Mario Noto’s free kick broke the deadlock with just 20 minutes left to play, before Alex Read made sure of the points with his 22nd goal of the season.

The first half was a scrappy affair, with little for the spectators to get excited about. The game was broken up by a serried of misplaced passes and speculative long balls as neither side could stamp their authority on the opposition.

In a half bereft of chances, Metropolitan Police striker Ahmed Abdulla went closest, when he made space for himself inside the box, but it came to nothing as he dragged the shot wide of the post.

The Hawks probed more as time wore on, but a solid defensive display from the hosts denied any significant inroads for the visitors.

Harlow’s best chance of the half came from Fabion Simms, whose goalbound shot was deflected by Alfred Mugabo sliding in.

HT: Metropolitan Police 0-0 Harlow Town

The Hawks came out with a sense of purpose in the second period, and soon began to control the game.

The home defence were under pressure as they were forced to defend a series of set plays to deny the Harlow attack.

It looked as though the hosts were to be rewarded for their efforts, but in the 71st minute they were punished from yet another dead-ball situation. Mario Noto’s inswinging free kick avoided everyone and somehow ended up in the back of the net.

Alex Read wrapped up the victory five minutes later. As the hosts pushed for an equaliser, Read latched onto a through-ball and rounded goalkeeper Brannon Daly to slot home.

Harlow saw out the rest of the game to earn a vital three points, keeping the first clean sheet in six games in the process.

FT: Metropolitan Police 0-2 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 91

The Hawks move to 57 points, six points of the final playoff spot.

Next up, the Hawks welcome Leiston to the Harlow Arena on Saturday 18th March. It’s a 3pm kick off.