Hawks out of Trophy

The Hawks’ FA Trophy journey ended for another season with a heavy, albeit slightly flattering, scoreline against in-form Hampton & Richmond.

Harlow Town held their own against their opponents from a division higher for the majority of the first half, but a goal from Harry Crawford just before the break gave the hosts a slender half-time lead.

Hampton & Richmond hit a second soon after the re-start through Max Kretzschmar, before he added another from the penalty spot.

Brendan Kiernan’s close-range finish put the hosts four up, with Harlow skipper James Baker poking home a goalmouth scramble for a consolation goal. Kiernan hit home his second in the final minute to complete the scoring and send Harlow Town bowing out of the FA Trophy.

The Hawks were under pressure early on, and the hosts retained a lot of the ball as they probed the Harlow defence. Josh Casey went closest to opening the scoring when a cross was headed out to him on the edge of the area, but he sliced a volley wide and out of play.

Brendan Kiernan then tried his luck after creating space, but there was no power on the shot and it was collected easily by David Hughes. Despite the majority of possession, Hampton & Richmond weren’t able to break through the Harlow defence.

As the Hawks grew into the game their wingers began to test the defence. Jared Small broke through the defence and opted to cross instead of shoot from a tight angle, but the cut-back was behind everyone as the goal went begging.

Junior Dadson then did the same on the opposite side, but just as Alex Read shaped to shoot Christian Jolley got in front and cleared the ball with a vital block.

Jimmy Shepherd had Harlow’s best chance when a clearance fell on the edge of the area, and his half-volley flew a foot over the crossbar.

In the 43rd minute the hosts broke the deadlock. Brendan Kiernan cut inside from the left and released a shot which took a touch from Harry Crawford inside the area, evading Hawks stopper David Hughes and creeping in the bottom corner.

HT: Hampton & Richmond 1-0 Harlow Town

Harlow Town would have felt they were still in the tie at half-time, but a goal two minutes after the re-start took the wind out of their sails. Goalscorer Crawford played Max Kretzschmar in and he rifled home to double the lead.

The game was effectively killed off on 60 minutes as Jideofu Maduako was penalised for a foul in the box. Kretzschmar stepped up to lash in the penalty for an unassailable lead.

The Hawks showed some fight to try and pull a goal back, with Alex Read going closest when his left-footed effort went just wide of the goal.

Hampton & Richmond made it four when Harry Crawford’s close range header was well-saved by David Hughes. Kiernan was on-hand to hit home the follow-up from close range.

Harlow did pull a goal back with 11 minutes to play when Jey Siva crossed to the back post and Fabion Simms headed back into the six yard box. A goalmouth scramble ensued, and after two blocks on the line James Baker poked home into the net.

As the 90 minute mark approached, the hosts capped off their afternoon. Aristide Bassele went through but David Hughes reacted quickly to come out and smother the shot. The ball deflected kindly to Kiernan who finished past the backtracking defender on the line, inflicting upon the Hawks the 14th goal in just three games.

FT: Hampton & Richmond 5-1 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 289

Attention now turns to the BBC Essex Senior Cup, as the Hawks host Southend Manor on Tuesday 28th November. Kick off is at 7:45pm.