Hawks cruise through cup tie

Harlow leapt out of the blocks and went ahead in four minutes through Junior Dadson, before Ryan Melaugh added a second just before half time.

Southend Manor pulled one back soon after the break, but the Hawks ramped up the pressure and soon put the game out of reach. Dadson scored his second, and in the final 15 minutes Fabion Simms and Harry Prince sealed the win.

The Harlow side have been accused of being slow to start games so far this season, but flew into an early lead. Alex Read won the ball in the opposition third before laying off to Louis Perkins. His slide-rule pass set Junior Dadson through on goal, allowing him to round the ‘keeper and put the Hawks ahead.

Southend Manor had a chance to hit back, but when Brennon Nolan played David Reynolds through, Harlow’s Craig Pope pushed the striker out wide, and he could only drag his shot past the post.

Syrus Gordon connected with a Louis Perkins corner but could only direct the header wide, before another Perkins corner forced a good save from Rees Hawkins in the visiting goal. Dadson headed goalwards from six yards out, but Hawkins’ reaction save tipped the ball over.

Melaugh was once again threatening on the left flank, his crosses from the byline flashing across the face of goal. Harlow players weren’t able to divert the ball home, but one dangerous moment saw Jason Warner slide in, deflecting the ball out for a corner that could have gone anywhere.

The Hawks got their second goal in first half injury time. Fabion Simms burst towards the penalty area before laying off to Ryan Melaugh, who unleashed a powerful first-time shot with his left foot that flew into the net.

HT: Harlow Town 2-0 Southend Manor

The visitors came out of the break with their tails up, and were soon back in the game. A Southend Manor corner was cleared, but only as far as Reis Meecham on the edge of the area. His shot went through several bodies in the area, and despite efforts to clear it, the ball crossed the line and the goal was awarded.

The two goal cushion was restored minutes later. Ryan Melaugh counter-attacked down the left, before playing back to Layne Eadie. The left-back sent a cross into the box that was chested down by Junior Dadson. With his back to goal he swivelled and shot low into the left corner for his second goal of the game.

Alex Rossis was called into action when a corner fell to visiting striker Brennon Nolan. Rossis got behind the ball to push away the effort. Stuart Payton also saw a long-range effort career off the bar, much to the relief of the Harlow custodian.

It was all Harlow from this point on, and the game was put beyond the visitors with 15 minutes to go. Leon Antoine’s shot from a corner rebounded kindly to Fabion Simms, who picked his spot carefully and scored into the bottom corner.

Junior Dadson then raced clear of the defence and crossed towards the back post. Substitute Harry Prince was waiting to guide the ball into the net to put Harlow 5-1 ahead.

Junior Dadson went close to getting his hat-trick in the final seconds of the game. Fabion Simms stole the ball from right-back Daniel Garrod, and cut back for Dadson. His left-footed shot went across goal but smashed off the post to deny him the match-ball.

FT: Harlow Town 5-1 Southend Manor
ATTENDANCE: 230

Harlow will now progress to the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round, where they take on Bedford Town who won 2-1 against Thrapston. The tie will take place on 12th September.

The next game for Harlow is on Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August. We host Redbridge for our Ryman League Division One North match. Kick-off is at 3pm.