I must admit the game itself never really got going until the late stages. Harlow started with a new goalkeeper in net in Jarvis Monk, a back four of Harvey Steel, captain Fabion Simms, Teddy Jones and Jack Willson. The midfield consisted of Mitch Hahn, Arley Barker and Josh Gruby with a front three of Alex Penn, Jack Cousins and Denzel Effah.

The positive from the game was a huge attendance of 757 and we thank you hugely for the support, despite a tough pill to swallow in the result.

In what was a stale first half of football, it was Harlow who created the chances. The Hawks had a solid passage of play in which they went from back to front, eventually getting playing it to Josh Gruby who played a quick pass across the box into Alex Penn. Unfortunately, Alex looked like he wasn’t expecting it and took a touch in what was a huge chance missed so close to goal.

Soon after this, Arley Barker saw his header saved with a reasonable degree of comfort from Jimmy Parker in what was the final chance of the first half.

Harlow continued from where they left off with Denzel Effah missing from a headed opportunity after Raheem Gray crossed it, doing well to keep the ball on the pitch.

Late on in the game, following another period of very little happening, a lapse in concentration from Harlow led to the away side punishing them. Tom Millett had the ball on the right-hand side and whipped it into the middle. Teddy Hall stood unmarked in the middle of the box for Sawbridgeworth, half-volleying it past Monk at the frustration of the majority of supporters in The Harlow Arena.

From this point onwards, Sawbridgeworth took control and had a small flurry of chances. The Harlow defence let Morgan Arnold play a ball through to Austen Garrod rather easily straight through the middle but Jarvis Monk came to the rescue with a good one-on-one save.

Things went from bad to worse for Harlow though after Morgan Arnold was recklessly taken out by Jack Willson from behind in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Elijah Grant stepped up, sending Monk the wrong way and dispatching the penalty kick well, doubling the Sawbo lead and solidifying their three points.

It was too-little-too-late as Harlow had a free kick into added time. Denzel Effah beat the wall but Parker pushed it over the bar.

Monk had to make a great save in the final moments of the game as Garrod struck one from close range as Sawbridgeworth closed in on a huge victory.

The Hawks’ 10-game unbeaten run comes to an end in what was a huge Christmas derby and I once again thank you for your continued support and I hope to see you in our game this Saturday away to Potton United.