Harlow Start Year With Win

With many games being called off around the country due to the awful conditions with the strong winds and heavy rain. Even though Harlow beat Ware 5-0 in the reverse fixture Harlow were in for a tough afternoon as they were facing a completely different Ware side and that Harlow were missing some key players. The likes of keeper Darren Behcet, Daniel Brown, Robbie Martin and James Smith were all absent meaning Harlow could only place three substitutes on the bench.

The Ware Captain and former Harlow Town manager Anthony Anstead nearly opened the scoring within three minutes. he brushed past a few Harlow players before dragging his shot just wide.

John Glowacki had the first Harlow chance on 14 minutes. He struck a half volley towards the top corner but Rhys Madden pulled out a good save to deny Glowacki. Harlow went close moments after. Joe o'Donoghue travelled with the ball and unleashed a shot which Madden had to push away for a corner.

Harlow's pressure was rewarded on 14 minutes. A fantastic delivery from Ben Hart from the right and Shane Stamp was there from 6 yards to tap in.

Ware nearly levelled immediately after the goal. Anstead played in Bishop who smashed the ball immensely but James May threw himself in front of the ball and made a miraculous save. However after this chance Ware rarely threatened the Harlow keeper and the back four needed to be organised and disciplined and were so.

The second half started as it ended with Harlow playing good football and trying to add to their total. Harlow were retaining the ball better than ware but didn't create as much as they did in the first half and this meant that Ware would always be in the game.

Harlow did have some chances in the last twenty minutes to kill the game. Antoine teed up Stanley Muguo whose shot went curling wide. And then minutes later Alex Read arched a clever run to get in behind the ware defence and gave himself space to shoot but could only hit the side netting.

Ware had a massive chance to equalise on the 88th minute. Bishop was played in and had the goal at his mercy but he got his shot all wrong and the ball went flying over the bar.

HARLOW: May, Dadson (Williams), O'Donoghue, McLeod-Urquhart, Glowacki, Blewitt, Hart (Smith), Muguo, Read, Antoine, Stamp.

Attendance 217