Late Read Goal wins game for Harlow

Dean Neil and Layne Eadie made their debut for the reds and both were impressive.

It was a sloppy start for both teams particularly Harlow as they were not playing their free flowing football . The first ten minutes were dominated by both sets of defenders and neither team looked like scoring.

Harlow finally started to dominate the game with good passing and movement, however, Romford had the first chance and it was a great chance. Ryan Imbert set the pacey Lewis Francis off one on one with keeper Dean Neil who done well to make himself look big and force a good save.

But that was Romford's only chance in the first half and from there on Harlow never looked like they were going to concede. Alex Read's free kick was well saved by Aaron Ormand which started off a flurry of Harlow chances. Harlow were breaking quickly and Read went close again. He got on the end of a poor back pass from Jamie Dicks but his shot was deflected inches wide.

Harlow had many dangerous corners to threaten Romford with. A corner was taken by James Smith who Romford only cleared to the edge of the box and fell kindly to Shaun Gliddon whose powerful header was tipped on to the bar by the Romford keeper. By this stage Harlow were in full flow and nearly scored a fantastic team goal. Every Harlow player had touched the ball and a fantastic move was nearly rounded off as Antoine teed Junior Dadson up to shot but his shot was again finely saved by Ormand.

Half Time and Harlow were left frustrated as they should have been 3 or 4 nil up. Danny Chapman had his work cut out as he needed to bring something new to the game.

Harlow started the second as they ended the first. Harlow were creating space for chances but just not being clinical enough. Harlow nearly took the lead in the first 20 seconds as Read cut back to James Smith whose shot was blocked off the line. Harlow again looked dangerous from a set piece as another corner floated in and Antoine fiercely headed towards goal but again denied by a goal-line clearance.

Harlow were still fighting desperately to try and find an equaliser. They cam close again. Gliddon passes to Smith on the wing who drills a cross into the 6 yard box and Junior Dadson scuffed his shot which looped over the goal.

Another chance for Harlow. Dadson cuts back in on his left foot a floats a delightful cross for Substitute Scott Curley to head home but he failed to hit the target.

But finally Harlow broke the deadlock on 87 minutes. A corner came in from the right, Antoine with the knock on to Alex Read who tapped in to give Harlow all 3 points.

Romford could of had an equaliser in the dying seconds when Kurt Smith went one on one with Dean Neil but he came to the rescue and made a fine stop.

HARLOW: Neil, Barnard, Eadie, Gliddon, Williams (Curley), Blewitt (c), Dadson, Muguo, Read, Antoine, Smith (McKenzie)

ATTENDANCE:116