Last gasp winner sinks Hawks

Alex Read put the Hawks ahead from the penalty spot, before Kadell Daniel scored a fortunate goal for the hosts soon after the break.

Captain Ibrahima Sonko restored the lead, but once again Leatherhead equalised when Boakye-Yiadom turned and finished neatly.

As the game looked like it was heading for a draw, Jerry Nnamani was in the right place at the right time to poke home a close finish and secure the win.

With the playoff race over for the Hawks, boss Danny Chapman rang the changes. Patrick Lee came into the side in place of David Hughes, while Andre Mayasi started at left-back with Layne Eadie moving to the left wing to replace the suspended Junior Dadson. Tommy Fagg made his first start for the Hawks, partnering Alex Read at the top.

It was a tentative start for both sides, and with Leatherhead’s status in the Ryman Premier retained, the first half reflected the game with two sides that didn’t have much to play for.

Jerome Federico came closest to opening the scoring when his mazy run created space for a shot, but his tame shot was easily saved by Patrick Lee.

The breakthrough came on 16 minutes when Andre Mayasi broke down the left, and his cross in to the box was handled by Leatherhead defender Chris Parr. Alex Read coolly dispatched the spot kick into the bottom corner for his 27th goal of the season.

The hosts looked the most threatening. D'Sean Theobalds brought the ball down well, and when his shot deflected off Charlie Dickens, Patrick Lee had to react to get down quickly for a good save.

Lee was called upon again on the stroke of half-time when Kadell Daniel’s free kick was heading towards goal, but the Hawks stopper tipped it over the bar to preserve Harlow Town’s slender lead into the half-time break.

HT: Leatherhead 0-1 Harlow Town

The hosts came out all guns blazing in the second period, and it didn’t take long to get onto the scoresheet, albeit in fortuitous circumstances. Kadell Daniel’s cross from the right defied everyone in the area and nestled in the top corner of the Harlow net, and the hosts were level.

Leatherhead had upped the tempo in the second half, and although they were retaining the ball well in midfield, they were still struggling to create meaningful chances.

Harlow took the lead for the second time when Layne Eadie’s outswinging corner was met by Ibrahima Sonko 10 yards out. His header back across goal was positioned perfectly to tuck just inside the post, and the Hawks were ahead against the run of play.

Alex Read nearly put the game to bed when he chased down a ball near the byline. With the goalkeeper off his line, he saw an opportunity and shot towards goal from a tight angle. With the ball heading in, Joe Howe cleared off the line to keep his side in the game.

The equaliser came with four minutes to play, and it was a very well taken goal. With his back to goal, substitute Nana Boakye-Yiadom received the ball and turned inside the penalty area before lashing home a powerful strike into the bottom corner.

Syrus Gordon had a chance to snatch all three points for the hawks when he dragged a shot wide of the post.

It was the home side who had the last laugh however, when in the third minute of added time they scored the winner. A low shot was drilled in, and although Patrick Lee parried it away, Jerry Nnamani was on hand to poke home the rebound.

Although it was a disappointing result for the Hawks, the tally of 67 points from 46 games saw Harlow Town finish an impressive 10th place in their first season back in the Ryman Premier Division, a fantastic achievement for everyone at the club.

FT: Leatherhead 3-2 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 485