Read hat Trick takes him passed goal scoring record

A very even and slow start from both teams in a very important fixture at the business end of the season. The first goalmouth action game on 17 minutes when a James Smith corner was met by the head of Leon Antoine, with the ball traveling to the wrong side of the post, Alex Read improvised an over head kick which was well held by Witham goalkeeper Martyn Guest. On 20 minutes Witham's dangerman Shamido Pedulu had a half chance well saved by Daniel Knowles. However soon afterwards Pedulu opened the scoring with a superb solo goal to put Witham ahead in the 25th minute when he was put through by Lee Townrow on the right and shot past Knowles with style.
The lead did not last for long as within two minutes of Witham scoring Harlow were awarded a penalty after Shane Stamp was tripped in the penalty area, and the leagues top scorer Alex Read beat Guest with a powerful shot, to see the teams go in level at half-time.

On 48 minutes Witham retook the lead when Pedulu turned sharply on the edge of the area and shot low just inside the near post beating Knowles for a second time, a great early strike from the young striker, but Knowles was disappointed to be beaten at the near post. But once again, as after the first goal Harlow were back level within two minutes when Witham failed to clear the ball from a James Smith corner, Antoine headed against the bar and after a goalmouth scramble the ball fell to Read who shot through the crowded goalmouth and into the back of the net.
This was a real end to end game now and both teams having chances however after 54 minutes came what was the turning point of the game, Witham won a free-kick but Witham's John Watson appeared to lunge with both feet off the ground at hawks defender Layne Eadie after the whistle had been blown and was given a straight red card for the fierce challenge and from then onwards all went wrong for Witham.
On 60 minutes Harlow were awarded another penalty after a hand ball by Seb Murfit, and Alex Read completed his hat-trick with a calmly taken spot kick..
Although Witham never gave up being down to ten men was a big disadvantage against a strong, talented Harlow team, and the Hawks scored two more goals when after 78 minutes a shot from Jon Glowacki on the edge of the penalty area took a wicked deflection to beat Guest.
The scoring was completed on the 86th minute with a low shot from Junior Dadson after good work from Read.