Hawks grind out win

The hosts put in a solid performance, although the visitors will feel they should have come away with something from the tightly contested game.

Harlow Town got off to the perfect start with a goal within two minutes. Jared Small crossed from the right to Alex Read inside the box, whose shot across goal was turned in from close range by Nigel Neita.

Tonbridge had a good chance to draw level when a missed clearance from debutant Andre Mayasi fell to Joe Turner, but he scuffed his shot and it was easily collected low down by Ben McNamara.

With 11 minutes played Tonbridge had a strong penalty shout turned down. Alexander Akrofi broke through on goal, and Ibrahima Sonko came across swiftly to clear the ball. Although the attacker went tumbling the referee waved away the appeals and he was instead cautioned for diving which seemed a harsh decision.

The visitors were the better team in the first half, and had another good chance to score with an impressive counter-attack. Joe Turner and Tom Beere combined well to put Beere through on goal, but Ben McNamara saved brilliantly with his legs.

Tonbridge defender Liam Smith picked a cross up at the far side of the area, but his speculative shot from the tight angle went over the bar.

On the stroke of half time Tonbridge equalised. Tom Beere’s free kick from just outside the penalty area crashed off the underside of the crossbar and down onto the line. It didn’t look as though the goal was to be given, despite appearing to cross the line, but Alexander Akrofi reacted fastest to tap in and ensure there was no controversy.

HT: Harlow Town 1-1 Tonbridge Angels

The second half started at furious pace with both sides surging back and forth but failing to dominate. Tonbridge’s Beere and Turner both tried their luck from distance, but send their efforts over the bar.

At the other Mayasi’s low cross was targeting unmarked Jared Small at the back post, but
Jeyasiva Sivapathasundram intercepted the ball to prevent a certain goal.

Alex Read then almost put Harlow ahead again when his shot was heading inside the post, but Tommy Whitnell was on the line to clear the danger.

The game was still flowing from end to end, as both teams searched for a winner. Beere then tried his luck from 35 yards out, but he was leaning back and the powerful shot sailed above the Harlow goal.

The 74th minute winning goal came from a Harlow Town set piece. Andre Mayasi’s inswinging free kick was flicked on by the head of Alex Read, and the ball nestled in the bottom corner.

Still Tonbridge weren’t beaten, and with ten minutes remaining they had a great chance to equalise again. Substitute Nathan Elder almost had an instant impact when a deep cross found him unmarked 8 yards out, but he put the header wide.

The Hawks ground out the result their third win in five games and a hard-fought three points.

FT: Harlow Town 2-1 Tonbridge Angels
ATTENDANCE: 234

Harlow move up to 17th in the league table with six points from the opening six games.

The Hawks now travel to Leiston on Tuesday 12th September. Kick off is at 7:45pm.