Danny Chapman’s side looked to continue where they left off following their 1-2 victory away at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos at the weekend. A much tougher challenge faced them last night as Harpenden Town travelled to Harlow Town Football Club.

Harpenden came to Harlow as a side that performed well last season, finishing 7th place in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division and being in contention for playoffs. The side have recruited this season and lined-up strongly on the night.

It was Harlow who started the game on top, with Jack Cousins failing to convert from a couple of half-chances, and Callum Ibe missing a notable chance following a well-worked move. Cousins also came close after heading just over the bar from a Denzel Effah corner.

Harpenden worked their way into the game throughout the first-half and a good move saw James Pellin forced into a top save after Henry Jones picked out Jon Clements in a tight gap. Lacking major power, Clements’ shot travelled towards the bottom-left corner from 6 yards and Pellin anticipated it quickly and held onto it.

Frustrations continued for Harlow Town after a well-worked set piece ended with Jack Cousins heading marginally wide.

James Pellin pulled off a sensational save after Danny Webb laid it off to Jon Clements who struck it with intent towards the front-post and James Pellin got a fingertip to send it wide.

James Love missed a mega chance after Denzel Effah whipped a cross into the box which fell to the midfielder on the rebound. Connor Freeman, the Harpenden keeper had already dived and it was practically an open goal but Love was unbalanced and sent it over the bar.

It was ultimately the away side who scored the first goal of the game as Ollie Salami ran down the left-hand side, playing it square along the ground to Danny Webb who produced a tidy finish from close-range.

The Harps used their momentum and tried to punish Harlow again for poor defending, with Danny Webb looping an effort just over the bar from close range once again. The final moments of the first half involved Harpenden exploiting Harlow’s defence.

Not long before the break, Jason Beck made an extremely strong challenge for Harpenden which many supporters believed to be a red card. However, referee Harry Demo gave Beck a yellow card.

As the first half came to a close, it was evident that Harpenden were a good side and would not let Harlow off the hook for missed chances, and they lead by one at the break.

Just 5 minutes into the second half, Jack Cousins was fouled in the penalty area and the referee awarded a penalty kick. After winning it, Cousins dispatched it calmly into the bottom-left corner, levelling the game early on in the second half.

The Harlow comeback could have been on, but Harpenden were still well in the game and Charlie Smith had a crack from the edge of the box which struck the top of the bar.

The second half was one in which it genuinely could have gone either way; Harlow missed a few chances as Teddy Jones missed an open goal after the ball suddenly fell to him, and Jack Cousins hit a shot straight at Freeman after the ball was squared across the box.

Harpenden missed a late header from a corner narrowly and at the full-time whistle, neither side could be separated and both were forced to settle for a point.

Overall, it was another case that Harlow could have scored considerably more than they did. Chance creation was positive throughout the game, and they came close on numerous occasions, as did Harpenden, but on reflection, a draw is a fair result of the game.

We thank you for your superb support, it was fantastic to see you all back again and we look forward to Saturday afternoon’s game against Saffron Walden Town away in the FA Cup. See you there.