Second half woe for Hawks

Harlow Town failed to take advantage of their first half performance, conceding a 64th minute goal to go down to their third consecutive loss.

The Hawks dominated the opening 30 minutes, but the missed chances came back to haunt them when Keagan Cole scored a finely taken goal half way through the second period.

Harlow were unable to trouble the home stopper in a poor second half, with the third loss in a row leaving them searching for the first points of the campaign.

The game started brightly for the visitors and they went close to taking the lead after only four minutes. Syrus Gordon received the ball out wide, and cut inside before releasing a curled shot. The effort struck the bottom of the post and rebounded out of danger, signalling the start of a good phase for the Hawks.

Nigel Neita was a handful for the Hendon right back Jake Eggleton from the off, and beat him to deliver a tempting cross to the back post. Junior Dadson was there to guide the ball goalwards, but it was deflected wide.

Dave Diedhiou had the first real chance for the hosts when he latched onto a looped ball over the top, but from the tight angle he could only drag the effort across the face of goal.

Neita almost capitalised on a sloppy backpass from Hendon’s Eggleton, but ‘keeper Tom Lovelock was out quickly to just beat the winger to the ball and prevent a certain goal.

Junior Dadson’s forced Lovelock into a save from a header, but there wasn’t enough power to trouble the goalkeeper, before James Baker’s header was cleared away by Rian Bray.

Hendon’s best chance of the half came from midfielder Matt Ball. His shot was heading towards the top corner but Harlow goalkeeper Ben McNamara, who went straight into the starting line-up after signing during the week, dived impressively to push it around the post.

Just before the half time whistle, Jack Wilkinson worked well down the left to create space for the cross, and although Fabion Simms was in the box to volley, he couldn’t control it and it went harmlessly wide.

HT: Hendon 0-0 Harlow Town

In the second half Harlow were a shadow of the team that had created a host of chances in the first period, and as the match progressed the hosts upped their game.

Matt Ball’s drilled free kick was threatening, but McNamara saved well. A minute later he was called upon again when Hendon countered. Niko Muir was set to finish the move, but although he had the power he didn’t get the placement and it was direct at the Harlow stopper.

On 63 minutes the hosts went ahead. The ball was fed to Keagan Cole inside the area and he had time to pick his spot shoot low and in off the post to take the lead.

Harlow were struggling throughout the second half, but with five minutes remaining they had a final sight of goal. A neat one-two with Alex Read and Reece Dobson set up Xavier Vidal, but his goalbound shot was deflected away.

The hosts saw out the remainder of the half to inflict a third straight defeat at the start of the campaign.

FT: Hendon 1-0 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 244

The Hawks face another tough game when next in action as Lowestoft Town are the visitors. Kick off is 3pm on Saturday 26th February.