Hawks’ run continues

The pressure was off the Hawks, having already secured their place at Step Three of the non-league pyramid in last Saturday, but the defeat for Tooting & Mitcham inflicted damage on their own hopes of avoiding the drop.

Harlow’s Jared Small was his usual dangerous self as he made inroads into the host’s defence early on. He had a good opportunity to take the lead in the 7th minute when the ball fell to him on the penalty spot, but the sliced shot went just wide of the goal.

The visitors had the ball in the net after a well-worked move put Alex Read in front of goal, but his finish through the legs of home goalkeeper Matte Pierson was chalked out for offside.

Tooting & Mitcham responded well, but they were wasteful in attack. Juevan Spencer put their best chance wide when in a good position.

The breakthrough came on 40 minutes. Harlow were awarded a free kick from a wide angle outside the box, and Christian Scales put it into the danger area, but it was cleared after a scramble in the area straight back to the left-back. His cross at the second time of asking was met by Alex Read, who put a header under the outstretched arms of Pierson.

HT: Tooting & Mitcham 0-1 Harlow Town

Tooting & Mitcham came out in the second period with a lot more purpose, and they looked the most likely to get the next goal.

Jordan Wilson sent a dangerous free kick towards goal, but Hawks stopper David Hughes got across to it quickly to save well.

Omar Folkes was then played through on goal, but Harlow’s Paul Rodgers came across with a well-timed sliding tackle to prevent the one-on-one opportunity.

As the half wore on Tooting & Mitcham created several half-chances, but their inability to test Hughes in the Harlow goal was indicative of their struggles at the bottom of the table.

At the other end, Harlow’s goalscorer Alex Read almost doubled his tally when Jared Small crossed into the box, but Read released the shot on the turn and put it just wide.

The hosts threw everything at it in the final ten minutes, and when Omar Folkes burst through on goal, he forced David Hughes into another good save when he got both hands behind the shot.

Folkes hit the bar in the 88th minute with a powerful left-footed shot that clattered off the woodwork, and he had another great chance in injury time when he collected the ball at the back post. David Hughes was on hand to pull off another wonderful save, coming out on top in his battle with the striker and keeping a clean sheet for the third game in a row.

FT: Tooting & Mitcham 0-1 Harlow Town
Attendance: 248