Dadson double sees off St Ives

Junior Dadson scored either side of the break to take his goal tally for the season to ten. Leon Antoine also headed home to put the tie beyond St Ives, and Harlow comfortable saw out the game. The victory sees the Hawks into Monday’s draw for the 3rd Qualifying Round, the furthest progression in the competition for seven seasons.

The hosts had started brightly and had the perfect opportunity to take the lead, when Stuart Eason headed down to Phil Draycott in the six yard box. Draycott had acres of space and time to set himself, but he shot straight at goalkeeper Niklas Freund to the disbelief of the home crowd.

The hosts were looking threatening in the opening exchanges, always looking to play the ball forward to the head of Eason who was causing problems up front. As the half went on, the Hawks began to settle into the game and create more of an attacking threat.

Layne Eadie went close for the visitors when a deep cross from the left crept towards goal. The ‘keeper was beaten but gratefully saw it fly centimetres wide of the post.

The pressure told on 26 minutes, when Alex Read and Ryan Melaugh played a neat one-two to beat the defence. Read then played in Junior Dadson, who finished low into the corner.

St Ives almost hit straight back. Phil Eason’s header at the back post hit the bar, and then Niklas Freund pulled out a great close range save to deny the follow-up shot.

The Hawks doubled their lead when Leon Antoine headed home. Ryan Melaugh’s pinpoint cross was tempting for Antoine, who directed his shot into the bottom corner leaving Tim Trebes in the St Ives net no chance.

Harlow were piling forwards looking to kill off the game, and a scramble in the six yard box could have seen a third. Only some last-ditch defending prevented Alex Read, Leon Antoine or Junior Dadson getting a shot away.

HT: St Ives Town 0-2 Harlow Town

The visitors continued to press after the break. Dadson’s cross from the byline was just feet in front of Ryan Melaugh in the centre, and then Melaugh’s free kick was headed just over by goal-scorer Leon Antoine.

Alex Read headed over a Layne Eadie cross, before the striker sent the ball through the defence for Junior Dadson to burst through on goal. The ball sat up as he shaped to shoot and it blazed over.

Alex Read and Junior Dadson combined again in the 66th minute for the third goal. Read set Dadson running beyond the defence, who then sold three dummies to the St Ives defence as he drifted into the six yard box. Having created space for himself, Dadson shot low for his second of the game.

Harlow were now controlling the game, comfortable in possession and restricting the hosts to speculative shots from distance. Ibrahima Sonko and Craig Pope in defence were unruffled, breaking down attacks before they could trouble Niklas Freund.

With 15 minutes to go, St Ives had a rare sight of goal. A corner was headed down in the box, but Layne Eadie was on hand to hack the ensuing shot off the line and away to safety.

The visitors were still looking to inflict damage. Junior Dadson ran onto a ball into the right channel picking out Alex Read in the centre. Read’s goal-bound header was saved well, and the scoreline remained for a comfortable Harlow Town victory.

FT: St Ives Town 0-3 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 345

The victory sends Harlow into the 3rd Qualifying Round for the first time since the 2008-09 season which saw the Hawks reach the 1st Round Proper. The next tie will take place on the 10th October, with the draw taking place on Monday 28th September.

Harlow are back in action on Tuesday 29th September, welcoming Ryman League newcomers Haringey Borough to the Harlow Arena. Kick off is at 7:45pm.