Read hat-trick seals win over Ramblers.

Harlow were looking to bounce back from that 4-3 defeat in the league to local rivals Waltham Abbey.

It was a slow start to the game with both sides having spells of possession without creating any real clear cut chances. The first ten minutes were dominated by long balls from both teams resulting into a lifeless start.

However the deadlock was broken. Burnham Ramblers took the lead on 14 minutes through Billy Hunt. Hunt ran onto a through ball midway through the Hawk's half and drove into the penalty area and when he was going to be closed down he lashed in a fierce shot past the helpless James May.0-1.

Danny Chapman was desperately looking for a response from his side but didnt really get one. Harlow were creating half chances which they never looked like scoring.

Harlows first real chance came on 25 minutes when a Shaun Gliddon cross was met by the on rushing Alex Read whose header just whistled past the post frustrating Danny Chapman and supporters.

Harlow were looking to press on from that chance. Junior Dadson done well by creating space for himself to shoot by Ramblers keeper Jack Parr was able to gather. And moments later Dadson was involved again when he teed off new signing Simon Alexandersson but again Jack Parr was able to keep Harlow from bay. And on the stroke of half time Harlow nearly got an equiliser through Alex's read curling shot going just wide.

However, whatever Danny Chapman had said at half time had clearly worked. Harlow came out the much stronger team with the possession and flair they had. Harlow almost got off to a great start to the second half when Dadson headed wide from a curling Ben Hart cross.

Harlow's persistence finally payed off. A corner from Robbie Martin was knocked on by the towering Darren Williams and onto Alex Read who lashed in from 6 yards on 61 minutes.

And Harlow got another 2 minutes later. Another fantastic cross from Robbie Martin was delivered to Read who guided his header past the keeper to turn the game on its head.

Burnham Ramblers were struggling to create any real threat to the Hawks defense which was well organized by Darren Blewitt. The Ramblers could only create half chances which never looked like scoring past James May.

But Harlow were getting stronger as the game wore on and yet again a fantastic cross from Martin was nearly turned in by Read but his shot hit the post.

Read finally completed a brilliant hat-trick as he capitalized on a poor back pass from Mitchell Evans leaving Read to round the keeper and fire into an empty net.

There were a lot of positives from Harlow as they showed character, determination and a real threat going forward which can mean a successful season for the Reds.

HARLOW:May, Akande, Dadson, Gliddon, Williams, Blewitt, Hart(Thomas), McKenzie (Barnard), Read, Alexandersson (s Williams), Martin.

ATTENDANCE:147