10 man Hawks hold on for win

Harlow had to battle the elements and a numbers disadvantage for most of the game, but a Tommie Fagg’s goal put the Hawks into the next round.

Nigel Neita’s 31st minute red card put the Hawks up against it for the majority of the match, and although the hosts enjoyed periods of possession they were unable to convert it into a goal as Harlow dug deep and were excellent to a man.

Tommie Fagg’s long-range goal in the 62nd minute was enough to settle the tie, and although Lowestoft went close late on, a red card for Travis Cole meant that both sides finished a man down.

The hosts started the brightest as they looked to take control of the game early on, but they failed to create any clear-cut chances.

Shaun Bammant had the first sight of goal when he connected with a cross at the back post, but his header was cleared out of danger.

It was the Hawks’ turn to apply pressure, but when Craig Pope tried his luck from distance it was saved by Lowestoft stopper Ben Dudzinski.

Tommie Fagg then struck a shot from the edge of the area, but it went well wide without troubling the goalkeeper.

With the half hour mark approaching Lowestoft should have gone ahead. A great cross from Jake Reed found Callum White unmarked at the back post but he put it over.

The moment of the half came about on 32 minutes, when a late tackle from Harlow Town winger Nigel Neita on Callum White was punished by a straight red from the referee, and the Hawks faced the prospect of playing the rest of the game a man down.

Not to be disheartened by the numerical disadvantage the Hawks still pressed forward. Jared Small put a shot wide of the post, before Alex Read saw an effort saved by Dudzinski.

Neither side could break the deadlock before half-time, and with Lowestoft having had the better of the play and an extra man, it seemed like it would be a tough second 45 minutes for the visitors.

HT: Lowestoft Town 0-0 Harlow Town

The second half began much as the first had, with Lowestoft dictating play. Jake Reed put and effort wide as the hosts looked to make their extra man count.

Lowestoft had another great chance to go ahead. Travis Cole’s header was heading under the crossbar, but Ben McNamara got his fingertips to it to push it over.

The rain had been lashing down making for difficult conditions, but with just over an hour played the Hawks took the lead. Tommie Fagg set himself from 20 yards out and placed a delightful curling shot beyond Dudzinski who couldn’t keep it out.

With time ticking down the hosts were making their extra man count. Harvey Hodd should have done better when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Ben McNamara was equal to the shot.

Rory McAuley then headed over the bar, before McNamara saved from Ross Jarvis to keep the hosts at bay.

As the game headed into injury time, Lowestoft’s Travis Cole also saw red after a foul on McNamara, and the Hawks held on to deservingly clinch the tie and put themselves in the draw for the Third Round Qualifying.

FT: Lowestoft Town 0-1 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 395

The Hawks now face another cup game, this time at home, as Bury Town are the visitors for the Alan Turvey Trophy sponsored by Velocity Sports Limited. Kick off is 7:45pm on Tuesday 19th September.