Hawks out of League Cup

An early goal from Marc Weatherstone put the hosts ahead, but despite having more possession throughout the rest of the game Harlow were unable to find the breakthrough to get themselves back in the tie.

The referee had waved away two penalty shouts for the visitors before Harry Prince had a glorious chance to send the game to penalties, only to see his injury-time header saved expertly by Bobby Smith in the Wingate & Finchley goal.

A corner for the home side on just 7 minutes was attacked by Weatherstone at the near post, and his goalbound header was too powerful for Niklas Freund to stop.

Harlow began to apply pressure, but their play in the middle of the park invariably broke down looking for the final ball. On 18 minutes, David Cowley crossed for Joe Benjamin at the back post, but the header went wide.

Junior Dadson then created his own space to shoot, beating Kieron Street at left-back before turning inside onto his left foot. The shot was palmed away by the Wingate & Finchley custodian and then hooked clear by the defence.

Billy Healey shot over for the hosts from the edge of the area, before Leon Antoine had a great chance to challenge the ‘keeper. He had a free header 10 yards out but put it over the bar.

With five minutes to go to the break, Harlow had a penalty appeal turned down. Junior Dadson received the ball on the penalty spot, and as he shaped to shoot seemed to have his legs taken from under him. The referee was in a good position and waved away the protests.

HT: Wingate & Finchley 1-0 Harlow Town

The second half was an even affair, with both sides having spells of pressure. Tommy Tejan-Sie broke through the defence and was bearing down on goal when Layne Eadie came across with a perfectly timed covering tackle to prevent a one-on-one situation.

Substitute Billy Jones then saw his shot saved well. Joe Benjamin’s run down the right wing was cut back for the striker, but Smith was equal to it, diving low down to his left.

On 71 minutes Alex Read received the ball in the area with his back to the goal, and as he held up the ball he was bundled to the floor. Again, the referee denied the appeals for a penalty.

As the game ebbed and flowed, the Harlow defence were keeping their side in the tie. Mark Goodman burst into the area, but Ibrahima Sonko’s last minute block tackle put the ball out for a corner.

Sam West was then on hand to dispossess Healey with a sliding tackle in the box, just as the striker was bearing down on goal. The timing had to be perfect as the Harlow defender stole the ball.

Deep into injury time, it seemed as though Harlow had snatched a goal to send the match to penalties. Layne Eadie crossed in from the left, and Harry Prince connected with his head at the far post from just yards out. Smith’s instinctive reaction save parried the ball straight back at the Prince, who had no time to react and his follow-up header went agonisingly wide of the post.

FT: Wingate & Finchley 1-0 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 81

The Hawks will be disappointed to be knocked out of the Robert Dyas League Cup at the 1st Round stage, but the performance against a higher level of opposition will give confidence for the upcoming league games.

The next game for Harlow is on Saturday 22nd August, a home league match against Romford. It’s a 3:00pm kick off.