Following a solid 0-2 victory over Bishops Stortford Swifts on Tuesday, the Hawks moved on to their second pre-season game of the season, and our first home game – Buckhurst Hill of the Essex Senior League.

The weather was awful, considering it’s the beginning of July, which was accredited by many to Wimbledon being on at the same time as the football. It was an interesting performance from Harlow, which lacked cutting edge, but it was to be expected, given the variety of players given opportunities by Danny Chapman yesterday. Neither side was necessarily better, despite the scoreline going in Buckhurst Hill’s favour.

Having impressed in the game vs Swifts, Jesse Ansen earned a start, with a number of different players coming off the bench later in the game.

Harlow started the game om the front foot, with Dan Heald almost finding the net at the front post, from a Tom Jelliman corner, which he claimed took a deflection, despite the referee disagreeing.

The Hawks came again, this time with Jack Haley who found himself in space, so took the shot on, which didn’t trouble the Buckhurst Hill goalkeeper. The away side then registered their first shot of the game, as their left-winger cut inside and struck one, that was blocked by Jesse Ansen.

The next chance also fell for Buckhurst Hill, as their forward connected well, but struck it way over the bar. Minutes later, Ruben Santos took a free kick for Harlow Town from the edge of the box, and the midfielder curled it just wide of the left post.

After poor Harlow defending, Buckhurst Hill found a lead through their number 11. They crossed it into the box and Dan Heald’s block sent the ball straight into the path of the blue player, who finished past James Pellin, giving the away side a first-half advantage.

Cav Clarke very nearly equalised just after for Harlow, after the Buckhurst Hill goalkeeper passed it straight into his path, however the keeper made a good recovery save at his near-post to deny Clarke.

Searching for his second goal of the game, Buckhurat Hill’s number 11 cut inside and struck another effort. This time though, James Pellin was equal to it, and caught the effort with ease.

A blocked shot from Jack Haley was the last action of the half, as Harlow went into half-time 0-1 down.

The second half was similar to the first, in that there wasn’t a plethora of big opportunities, but Buckhurst Hill were simply more clinical with their chances.

Harlow once again started with some strong attacking scenarios, in which Cav Clarke saw his shot blocked, and then Jack Zielinski hit one over the bar on the half-volley. Buckhurst Hill’s goalkeeper made a good save to deny Fabion Simms from a corner seconds later, and then Simms won the header from the next corner, hitting the post as the away side watched and prayed that the ball wouldn’t go in.

Buckhurst Hill eventually doubled their lead, when their number 9 was in on goal, and finished well past Jayden Smith, who was rushing out to close him down.

Jordan Burnett immediately looked to cause problems for Buckhurst Hill when coming on, turning and getting a shot away at the near-post which was saved well. Soon after, Korede Da Silva also got a shot away into the bottom left, but the away keeper saw it coming and got down well.

The chance of the game then came for Harlow, as Jack Zielinski was played one-on-one, but miskicked it, missing the goal, and at this point it seemed like nothing we attempted was going to go in.

Buckhurst Hill came back with another effort, on the half-volley from their number 9, which looked to be bending into the left corner of the goal, but glanced wide in the end, which was the final action of the game, Buckhurst Hill emerging 0-2 victors.

Overall, it was a game in which the most important thing was to give game time to certain players, and test them against a strong opposition, so there was of course room for error. Our lack of clinicality ultimately lost us the game. A game where Buckhurst Hill were not overly better, but just more clinical. However, we move forward from this, with our first league game of the season now being confirmed as Newbury Forest at home on 27th July, at 3pm.

Now though, our focus moves to our game against Fisher FC at home on Tuesday night, kicking off at 7.45pm. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you on what will hopefully be a day of improved weather, and a win for the Hawks.