New signings Chris Bourne and Reiss Chandler went straight into the defence, helping the Hawks to earn only their third clean sheet since the turn of the year.

It was the old heads who were on the scoresheet however, with Tayo Oyebola and Christian Adu Gyamfi finding the net in either half.

The first half was an even affair, and both teams were restricted in their chances at goal. Hertford Town suffered an early setback when forward Alfie Cue injured himself after taking a shot. The hosts then went close when Toby Byron put an effort just past the post.

Neither goalkeeper was really tested, and it took until the 30th minute to break the deadlock. Jeremie Sivi, who was outstanding all game and had a hand in both goals, spread the ball out wide to Christian Adu Gyamfi. He saw the run of Tayo Oyebola in the middle and the cross was perfectly weighted for the striker to head back across the goalkeeper and in. It was Oyebola’s 12th strike of the campaign, moving himself to the top of the Harlow Town goalscoring charts for the season.

HALF-TIME: Hertford Town 0-1 Harlow Town

The hosts started the second period strongly, and should have drawn level within minutes of the restart.

Luke Gymer found Toby Byron in plenty of space in the middle, but he couldn’t get it on target and headed over when he really should have done better.

On 71 minutes the hosts had their best chance. Byron’s cross was met at close range by Samuel Oueniran, and only a superb reaction save from Josh Bexon kept his side ahead, before the ball was cleared from danger.

Harlow went straight down the other end and almost doubled the lead with 15 minutes to play. Christian Adu Gyamfi saw his looping header bounce of the top of the bar, and with the goalkeeper scrambling back across goal, his second header hit the bar for the second time in five seconds.

The Hawks stepped up the pressure to make sure of the game, and with five minutes remaining the second goal came. Jeremie Sivi charged down a pass back to the goalkeeper, whose clearance cannoned off the Harlow winger. He picked up the loose ball before picking out Adu Gyamfi in the middle, and a calm nutmeg of the defender on the line sealed the three points for the Hawks.

FULL-TIME: Hertford Town 0-2 Harlow Town

Next up, the Hawks are back at home as they welcome local rivals Ware on Tuesday 4th February. Kick off is at 7:45pm.