Harlow hit Merstham for six

An incredible first half saw Harlow race into a 5-0 lead, before conceding two sloppy goals in injury time to give the visitors hope for the second period. However, Harlow were in no mood to let the place in the next round of the cup slip from their grasp.

Harlow went ahead early on, scoring two goals in a minute when Alex Read converted a penalty and then turned provider for Leon Antoine to tap home. Read then scored two more to complete a hat-trick within 37 minutes, before a thunderbolt from Shane Stamp put the hosts out of sight.

Michael Abnett and Aaron Rhule saved some blushes for the visitors just before half-time, but a professional second half performance from the Hawks and a final goal from Junior Dadson sealed the win.

It was Merstham who had the first opportunity to score, when Charlie Penny found himself unmarked in the box, but he sent his header over from 12 yards. Penny then linked up well with Tommy Hutchings, whose shot took a looping deflection goalwards. Niklas Freund was fast on his feet, scrambling back to his line to tip over for an excellent save.

With only seven minutes played, Alex Read was fouled in the box and duly stepped up to convert the penalty. The shot was well placed in the corner, and although Yannick Makiese dived the right way he couldn’t get close.

From the kick off, Layne Eadie pushed forward and played Alex Read in behind the Merstham defence. Read flashed a low cross across the face of the goal, Leon Antoine tapping home from close range.

Merstham were still in the game, and Charlie Penny had a good opportunity when he broke through the Harlow defence. The striker dragged his shot wide and should have tested Freund.

Harlow were three nil up when Alex Read pounced on an error from Makiese. The keeper failed to collect a cross, only for Shane Stamp to head across the box to Read who lashed the ball into the net.

Harlow were putting their opponents to the sword, and another two quick goals followed. Ryan Melaugh breezed past three defenders before crossing, putting the ball on a plate for Alex Read. The Hawks’ top-scorer picked his spot to complete his hat-trick, taking his tally for the season to 17.

With the visitors in disarray, Shane Stamp collected the ball deep in the Harlow half and counter-attacked, running the length of the pitch. He smashed his shot into the roof of the net, leaving the Merstham custodian no chance.

Despite Harlow’s dominance, Merstham did create chances. Aaron Rhule put a good opportunity wide, before Niklas Freund denied Hutchings with a fantastic save, diving at full stretch to tip the effort around the post.

The visitors did pull two goals back in injury time. A quick free-kick put Penny in space, who cut back for Michael Abnett to curl a delightful shot inside the post.

Just a minute later, Freund came racing out of his box to clear a through-ball. The clearance deflected fortuitously into the path of Merstham midfielder Tom Kavanagh, who played in Rhule for the winger to finish into the empty net from a tight angle.

HT: Harlow Town 5-2 Merstham

Harlow weren’t content to sit back in the second half. Junior Dadson crossed for Alex Read in the box, but with only the ‘keeper to beat he uncharacteristically put it wide. Ryan Melaugh also went close, a left-footed free-kick grazing the post.

The final goal came with 66 minutes on the clock. Substitute Jared Small sent in another cross from the byline, indicative of how the Harlow wingers terrorised the Merstham defence all game. Junior Dadson collected in the middle, and although his first effort was blocked he made no mistake with the follow-up.

Ibrahima Sonko’s block denied Tommy Hutchings a rare sight at goal, and despite Junior Dadson going close as the game drew to an end, there were no further goals as Harlow took a well deserved scalp from the division above.

FT: Harlow Town 6-2 Merstham
ATTENDANCE: 210

The Hawks will now travel to Molesey on Saturday 14th November to contest the 2nd Qualifying Round.

Next up for Harlow is a league game against high-flying Cray Wanderers. The game is on Saturday 7th November at the Harlow Arena. Kick off at 3pm.