Hawks let lead slip

Leatherhead came from behind as the Hawks’ winless league run stretched to four games.

Harlow Town were impressive in the first half and deservedly went ahead through a close range Nigel Neita strike, before the hosts drew level through a Jack Midson header.

The Hawks were off the pace in the second period, and when Reece Williams-Bowers scrambled home a goal just before the hour mark, Harlow couldn’t find a way back into the game.

The game started at a sluggish pace as most of the play was bogged down in midfield, and it wasn’t until the 22nd minute when the game came to life. Nigel Neita cut inside after a good run before releasing a shot, only to see it blocked by Yannis Ambroisine.

Ambrosine was on hand a minute later when Reece Dobson unleashed from 25 yards, but again it was blocked. Andrea Mayasi then sent a shot just over the bar from distance with the Hawks failing to test stopper Zaki Oualah.

The opening goal came with half an hour approaching, and it was made by Alex Read. The striker out-muscled and then out-ran Lee Minshull before looking up and cutting back to Nigel Neita in the middle. Neita couldn’t miss as he stroked the ball into the net.

Leatherhead improved as the game progressed, and when a corner was cleared to Niall McManus he sent it straight back at goal, but he cleared the crossbar.

The equaliser came six minutes before half time. A great cross-field ball reached McManus on the left, and his whipped cross was on a plate for Jack Midson. Midson was in plenty of space to head home, leaving debutant goalkeeper Ashlee Jones with no chance from five yards out.

HT: Leatherhead 1-1 Harlow Town

The Hawks were nowhere near as decisive in the second half, and the hosts came out the stronger of the two sides. Within two minutes Lee Minshull put a cross into the danger area for Ambrosine to prod goalwards, but it was deflected just wide.

A cross from the other side form Sean Clohessy spelled danger for the visitors, but Midson sliding in was inches away from the ball and he couldn’t convert.

Alex Read was tirelessly chasing down every ball, and it almost paid dividends when he stole the ball on the byline. In almost a carbon copy of the first goal, he cut back for Nigel Neita, but this time he dragged the shot wide.

The hosts took the lead on 58 minutes. A good one-two between Tom Richards and Jack Midson created space for the latter to shoot. The effort deflected kindly to Reece Williams-Bowers who lashed in the winning goal.

The Hawks were still plugging away trying to get something form the game. Xavier Vidal cut a ball back for Alex Read who slid in to poke the ball goalwards, but Sam Blackman also slid to intercept and put the ball wide.

Syrus Gordon’s low shot from the edge of the area forced the goalkeeper into action, but there wasn’t enough power behind it and Oualah got behind it to save.

With the minutes ticking away, the visitors had a big penalty shout turned down. Ambrosine handled the ball in the box, but the referee ruled it was accidental and he waved away the appeals, inflicting a third consecutive league loss on the Hawks.

FT: Leatherhead 2-1 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 406

Harlow Town are now 22nd in the league with seven points from the opening ten games.

Next up, the Hawks host Dorking Wanderers on Tuesday 10th October. It's a 7:45pm kick off.