Late drama for Hawks

The Hawks had gone ahead with a well-taken Alex Read finish, before being pinned back by Tooting & Mitcham in an action packed final quarter of an hour.

Charlie Edwards cropped up with his first goal for the club in the third minute of added time to seal a vital win for Harlow Town.

The game started at a frantic pace, and although the Hawks saw a lot of possession they weren’t able to break through the resolute Tooting & Mitcham defence.

The visitors created the best of the chances with both Jake Baxter and Joshua Jackman forcing Harlow stopper David Hughes into good saves low down in the corner.

Alex Read and Tommie Fagg combined well to send Read through behind the defence, but Matte Pierson parried the shot to keep the ball out.

The visitors were content to try their luck from distance, and when Danny Bassett let fly from 20 yards out David Hughes had to be on his toes to get across goal and make a diving save.

Omar Folkes then sent in a shot from the corner of the penalty area, but he dragged the effort wide.

Isaiah Jones was inches away from taking the lead for the visitors just before half time, but his first-time shot from the edge of the area grazed the Harlow crossbar as the half finished goalless.

HT: Harlow Town 0-0 Tooting & Mitcham

The visitors almost got off to the perfect start in the second half, but when Omar Folkes got through on goal, Harlow keeper David Hughes was quick off his line to close down the shot well. The rebound fell to Isaiah Jones, but his shot at the open goal was blocked by Ibrahima Sonko top preserve the status quo.

Harlow Town began to press again, and Jared Small went close when he picked up on a long ball and rounded the goalkeeper, but from the tight angle he could only shoot into the side netting.

Junior Dadson then squared a ball for captain Syrus Gordon to run onto, but although the first-time shot was headed for the bottom corner, Pierson reacted quickly to tip it around the post.

Tooting & Mitcham were almost masters of their own downfall when a Jared Small cross caused havoc in their penalty box and the ball was almost turned in by one of their own defenders. It was hacked clear of the line as the Hawks went inches from taking the lead.

The breakthrough came on 76 minutes when Alex Read collected a low cross from Jared Small inside the box. He turned and rifled into the bottom corner to put the hosts ahead.

The lead lasted nine minutes. As the Harlow defence looked to clear a Tooting attack, the ball fell loose. Chase O'Neill pounced on the opportunity and buried it beyond David Hughes to draw the Terrors level.

When it looked as though both sides would have to settle for a point to aid in their relegation scrap, Harlow substitutes Toby Ajala and Charlie Edwards combined with a neat one-two to put Edwards through. He slid under the advancing goalkeeper in the third minute of added time to the despair of the visitors who had deserved something from the game.

FT: Harlow Town 2-1 Tooting & Mitcham
ATTENDANCE: 204

The Hawks move up to 19th in the league table, with 27 points from 27 games.

Next up, Billericay are the visitors to the McCullochs Arena for the BBC Essex Senior Cup Quarter Final. Kick off is 7:45pm on Tuesday 9th January.