Hawks crash out of Trophy

A rampant end to the game for Molesey snatched a win from the jaws of defeat and will leave the Hawks wondering where it went wrong. Harlow had gone ahead early through Jared Small’s header before an own goal doubled the lead.

Molesey pulled one back straight away, but the Hawks looked in control going into the half-time interval. The two coal advantage was restored when Leon Fisher tapped in his first goal for the club, but then a resurgent Molesey scored three goals, the final one coming in injury time, to take the win.

Harlow took the lead after just four minutes Ryan Melaugh’s driven corner found Jared Small in the box, who headed home from 6 yards out. Minutes later the Hawks almost scored from the same set piece, but Craig Pope’s effort was saved by the ‘keeper.

Reis Stanislaus broke through the Harlow defence chasing a ball forward from James McShane, but Ben Glasgow came across with a perfectly timed covering tackle as the striker shaped to shoot.

A controversial moment followed, when Molesey stopper Liam Allen charged out and fouled Leon Fisher outside the box. Fisher had raced clear of the defence and was through on goal, but the referee adjudged there was a covering defender and so the 'keeper was relieved to see only a yellow card.

Fisher then went close soon after, Junior Dadson playing the ball through the legs of the right back before cutting the cross back, however Fisher couldn’t keep it down and blazed over the bar.

Ryan Melaugh then had a hand in the second Harlow goal on 28 minutes. His free kick whipped into the 6 yard box, and was turned into his own net by Molesey defender Luke Elliott who poked it past his own goalkeeper.

Molesey hit straight back though, when Staff Palmer got into a good position to shoot. The striker had looked dangerous, and his well-placed finish was low and into the corner and beat Harlow stopper Niklas Freund.

The goal came against the run of play, and although Harlow were looking comfortable the hosts did create chances. Stanislaus blazed a good opportunity over the bar, before Freund raced off his line to clear the ball from the feet of McShane

HT: Molesey 1-2 Harlow Town

McShane went close with two efforts after the re-start, and although Niklas Freund was equal to the shots, it served as a warning sign to the Hawks that the lead was still only one goal.

The two goal cushion was re-established on 55 minute, when Junior Dadson played in Layne Eadie. He skipped past Molesey right-back Ross Chalke, before crossing low in front of goal. Leon Fisher, who had looked very good all game, tapped in to get his tally for the Hawks off the mark.

Harlow almost scored again when Junior Dadson reached the byline His low cross should have been easily collected by Molesey custodian Liam Allen, but he let it trickle between his legs and was relieved to see the ball trickle across the goalmouth with Alex Read just feet away from reaching it for a tap-in.

As the second period wore on the hosts began to exert pressure. They reduced the deficit back to one on 78 minutes when James McShane finished well to give his side hope of a comeback. Palmer then had a thunderous shot at goal, but Freund got himself behind it and palmed the effort away.

On 85 minutes it looked as though Molesey had earned a replay, when Staff Palmer beat the offside trap and stroked home to equalize. However, the comeback was complete as the game entered injury time. McShane reached the byline and pulled back for Reis Stanislaus to finish, leaving Harlow wondering how they threw it away.

FT: Molesey 4-3 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 94

With the Hawks 3-1 up and comfortable, Molesey never looked as though they had given up on the game. A staggering last few minutes sent the hosts through to the next round, while Harlow have now exited their final cup competition.

All thoughts will now turn to the games in hand in the league, and Harlow will have no time to dwell on the result as they are back in action during the week. Heybridge Swifts visit the Harlow Arena, for a 7:45pm kick off on Tuesday 17th November.