Hawks slump to away defeat

Harlow Town had gone ahead just before half-time with a clinical finish from Alex Read, but the Hawks failed to get going in the second period.

Will Salmon headed home for the hosts from close range to draw level, and with just six minutes of normal time remaining Tom Bird capitalised on slack defending to hit home from long range.

The game started off in exciting fashion with end-to-end attacks forcing both goalkeepers into fantastic saves.

Jared Small delivered a tempting cross to the back post, and Andrea Mayasi’s volley from just a couple of yards out was saved by the quick reactions of Met Police stopper Luke Williams.

At the other end, Tom Bird had a good opportunity when a foul on the corner of the Harlow Town goal area gave away a free kick, but he put the shot just over.

Jay Gasson then looked certain to score for the hosts with a header from five yards out, but David Hughes’ terrific reaction stop parried the ball away.

He was called upon again a minute later when Bayley Mummery shot at goal, but the diving Hughes stuck out a leg to keep the score level with another impressive save.

The hosts were having plenty of possession, but were unable to convert it into goals. On the half hour mark a great cross to Jonny Wright at the back post really should have been turned in, but with the goal gaping he missed the ball.

Harlow had their own spells of pressure. When Jared Small’s cross somehow made its way through several people to Andre Mayasi, he dragged the shot wide.

In the 44th minute the Hawks took the lead. Harlow Town surged up the field on the counter-attack, and moving from right to left Alex Read received the ball on the edge of the area and slid the shot past Williams and inside the right hand post.

HT: Metropolitan Police 0-1 Harlow Town

The second half saw a lot less goalmouth action with the ball being bogged down in midfield, but the hosts were pushing for an equaliser.

Aaron Good forced David Hughes into yet another sharp save, before Lloyd Macklin put a half volley wide.

Tom Bird curled a free kick over the wall, but David Hughes got across quickly to tip the shot over the bar and deny the hosts once again.

From the resulting corner however, Met Police took the lead. The cross was headed back across goal, and Will Salmon was in the right place in the middle to nod the ball home.

The hosts increased the pressure, and as the second half wore on it was becoming increasingly harder for the Hawks to create meaningful chances.

Aaron Goode almost found the winner for Met Police when the ball was laid back to him, but David Hughes was equal to the shot.

In the 84th minute the hosts took the lead. The Hawks lose possession, and Tom Bird’s looping shot went over David Hughes and crept under the crossbar for a good finish.

In the dying minutes of the game Harlow’s Fabion Simms turned into a defender in the box and was sent sprawling, but the referee waved away the penalty protests that would have been a lifeline for the Hawks to salvage a point.

FT: Metropolitan Police 2-1 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 90

Harlow Town remain in 22nd place in the league table with 18 points from 20 games.

Next up, the Hawks host Merstham on Tuesday 12th December. Kick off is at 7:45pm.