For a completely overhauled squad with an average age of below 25, last season’s Step Three strugglers have done incredibly well to become one of Step Four’s steeliest teams; so often the comeback kings, ‘Fergie-time’ winners, or just downright dogged to pick up points from gritty performances.

Since losing Matt Rush, the 18-year old that Southend United now want back in their ranks, The Hawks have somewhat struggled to fill the gap. Coupled with the absence of exciting winger Terrell Egbri, and the lack of attacking options on the bench, Buddha, Foghorn and co. may have been less optimistic than usual.

However, the use of Ozzy Adeniji up front, Tayo Oyebola and De’Jaune Taylor-Crossdale out wide, coupled with Amar Lewis in the hole, actually saw the home side create in abundance, just without the goals to match.

Danny Chapman may have found his perfect attacking formula, youngster Tiannie Wilson was lively off the bench, Hugo Atkinson had a composed debut, this certainly wasn’t a 3-0 game.... the positives can go on and on,
but in the grand scheme of the battle for promotion, none of them matter, as goals from Owen James (‘75), Nathan Minhas (‘78) and Sebastian Bowerman (‘90+5) consigned Harlow to defeat and zero points. They remain in 2nd, with The Robins up two places to seventh.

Buoyed on by his first clean sheet in the last outing, Josh Bexon was not suffering from cold feet. He had been slightly off in his positioning when tracking a cross from opposing left back Daniel Bayliss, but dived back across excellently to deny Minhas’ header, the strong fingertip save cleared away by Samson Doherty.

Filling in at centre-back as part of an injury-hit match-day squad (Two right-backs and a youth team player sat alongside assistant manager Danny Knowles on the bench), Doherty was booked for protesting a bizarre decision by referee Brett Grant.

The frustration had spilled somewhat onto his team mates, as for all of Tayo’s trickery, Syrus Gordon’s midfield mettle, The Hawks were unable to build on their lions-share of possession. They were almost made to pay twice in the 28th minute, Bexon saving low with his thigh to deny Minhas at the byline, and Bayliss shooting narrowly over from a tight angle.

Certainly the main danger of our visitors, with eight league goals (including two hat-tricks), Minhas released Bowerman on the half-hour mark, the pair outnumbering Jules Lopez. Small but diminutive, Lopez’ slide tackle unluckily bobbled the ball further forward, with Oyebola allegedly ‘barging’ in to halt Bowerman just outside the box.
While perhaps not finding their spark just yet, Danny Chapman had certainly riled his team up enough for this one.

And had there been half as much composure as aggression, the home side could’ve been two to the good. Amar Lewis chipped over with his side foot after being put through by a bouncing clearance, then leaving a ferocious Adeniji cross for Taylor-Crossdale, who’s shot was blocked; it should have been converted.

Profligacy on show from Adeniji, who’s one-on-one effort went wide on the stroke of half-time, meant The Hawks went into the interval all square at 0-0.

HALF-TIME: Harlow 0 - 0 Bracknell

Fairly untested in the first-half, ex-Hertford man, Atkinson, was called into action instantly, with Minhas baring down on goal. The debutant duly delivered, brilliantly tracking the striker and blocking his strike, with only Bexon to beat.

Spurred on by a newfound ability to remain in the game when not at their best, The Hawks were in the ascendancy, a series of neat attacking plays disrupted by as many rough fouls. One exchange resulted in a yellow card for Sean McCormack, and a header from a free kick which was put wide by Adeniji, who then made away for reserve side youngster Tiannie Wilson.

The sub made some neat touches, but none as neat as Oyebola’s in the 64th minute, who’s mazy dribble left three defenders behind, and proved just how much more the winger prefers to play in his natural position.

Opposition winger Daniel Brown then almost broke the deadlock, his long and low strike unsighted by Bexon until the last moment, the ‘keeper happy to parry away. The game had definitely livened up, and on the counter, Oyebola turned and flicked his way into Bracknell’s half, being pushed wide before a sumptuous back-heel to tee up Wilson, who was tackled before getting a shot off.

On the back foot in the second half, Bracknell had not yet had a moment like Max Herbert’s 75th minute through ball, which, executed as a result of Gordon being down and unable to track him, perfectly teed up Owen James on the corner of the box. The substitute took one touch, waited a millisecond, then brushed it into the opposite bottom corner, giving his team the lead.

Ninth place is not a fair reflection of Bracknell, who came into the game as the divisions sixth highest scorers, and fifth meanest defence.

A team efficient without spectacularity, they displayed such pragmatism on 78’ with a four-touch move. Bowerman sprayed wide to James, who cut back in on his first touch and then teed up Minhas. With 95% of the goal free, Minhas opted for the centre. Bexon did well to get a hand on it, but the power and close-range of the strike meant The Robins’ lead was always going to be doubled.

The Hawks were patient for the remaining 12 minutes, mainly forcing aerial clearances through Wilson and Taylor-Crossdale, but failed to bring back the two-goal deficit.

Two would not have been enough anyway, Bowerman converting a dubious penalty in the dying moments of the game. It was harsh on Lopez, who had accidentally bumped into Minhas when exiting the box to counter-attack.

You’re often punished for the chances you don’t take in football. While sometimes getting away with it this campaign, Harlow were ruthlessly made to pay by their more clinical visitors.

FULL-TIME: Harlow Town 0 - 3 Bracknell

It’s Harlow @ Marlow next Saturday, as The Hawks look to get back to winning ways in Buckinghamshire. 3PM Kickoff.