After Stevenage XI were initially scheduled to face the Hawks and provide a major test in their final pre-season game, the Hertfordshire side dropped out and so with short notice, OIR FC (Old Isleworthians) stepped in to face Danny Chapman’s side on 23rd July.

For a Step 7 side, OIR more than gave the reds a game, with some sharp spells across the course of the game, with their number 7 and 10 particularly looking dangerous going forward, but the quality and fitness of Chapman’s side shone through and led them to victory ahead of Saturday – our first game in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division away at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos.

The Hawks threatened early on in the game with Raheem Gray getting a shot at goal, but Dawid Krusinski (a goalkeeper who has been training with Harlow’s first team and originally played for Glenn Roberts’ youth side) came out on top. The keeper was filling in for OIR who did not have a keeper for the game.

A blistering counter-attack was the correct recipe for an early Harlow Town goal, as Denzel Effah was taken out in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. After winning the penalty, Denzel dispatched it well, sending Krusinski the wrong way.

Shortly after the first goal, the Hawks swfitly doubled their advantage as Jack Cousins hit a superb volley that most keepers would have struggled to save, into the top-left corner from 18 yards.

The reds missed a few free-kick opportunities before Arley Barker intercepted an OIR pass before firing it goalwards, but Krusinski saved it well and the score remained just two.

It was all Harlow in the first-half, who led by two at the break.

OIR came out fast in the second half and caught Harlow by surprise with their number 10 curling a shot from distance into the bottom-right corner which beat Finn Rushton, giving the away side an opportunity to come back into the game.

As the game reached the later stages, it became a goal-fest with Raheem Gray swiftly netting, toe-poking it past Krusinski at the near-post after a fast counter-attack.

Joe Dearman, whose defensive acumen had shone for most of the game, picked the ball up near the half-way line and ran all the way towards goal before firing an effort which was saved excellently by Krusinski.

Just moments later, Harvey Steel whipped in a cross which was headed by Josh Gruby, striking the crossbar and landing on the line before being cleared. There were many shouts from Harlow supporters, calling for a goal to be awarded but the officials decided against it.

The Hawks kept plugging away and attempting to stamp down their authority on it, and Arley Barker whipped in a corner which was headed in by Louis Stead well for Harlow’s fourth goal of the game.

Our final goal came from yet another Denzel Effah penalty kick after Joe Dearman was fouled in the box and Effah made no mistake in finishing from twelve yards to wrap up a 5-1 victory.

We thank you for your support across the entirety of our pre-season campaign and apologise for the alterations in some of the fixtures.

We are delighted that the new season is upon us and cannot wait to return to competitive football, with our first game tomorrow against Aylesbury Vale Dynamos on the horizon. We hope to see you there.