The time had come for the final game of the season. Following a two-week break from action, namely our 6-1 victory over St Margaretsbury which was followed by immense league-winning celebrations, focus had shifted to our second straight League Challenge Cup final, against our fierce rivals throughout the season Hackney Wick.

Just over 1,000 supporters fled to Parkside Stadium, home of Aveley Football Club, with the majority of those being Harlow Town fans, all in anticipation of a huge game. Not only would the winner be crowned cup champions, but they’d also gain bragging rights, with both sides having battled head-to-head all season.

Of course, Hackney Wick themselves have had a superb season, only losing out on the league title via goal difference, and they currently find themselves in a playoff final against either AS London or Rayleigh Town.

A trophy win would have been the icing on the cake for Harlow Town, with no Harlow side having won a double in decades, and the Hawks were hoping to defend their trophy and retain it after their win at Diss Town last season against Downham Town.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, the game did not pan out in their favour, and the Witham-based side emerged victorious after 90 minutes.

It was a mostly unchanged side, with Danny Chapman opting for one change in the form of Fabion Simms returning to the team, ahead of Jesse Ansen. Gavin Cockman returned to the squad, the striker was named on the bench.

The Hawks started the game on the front foot, with Denzel Effah making his way into the box, but after falling down, he was denied a penalty.

Hackney Wick, however, were no passengers themselves, getting a good shot away early on from Leo Lopate, which James Pellin did well to clinch onto.

The Wick continued to put pressure on Harlow Town’s defence and the formidable Issa Sidibe, who is no stranger to finding the net as he has shown all season, netted undoubtedly one of the finest goals of his career to date. Sidibe wrapped his effort into the top-left corner, a shot that no keeper would have saved, and Hackney Wick burst into celebration. Harlow had a big mountain to climb.

A few half-chances followed for Hackney Wick, one of which coming in the form of an attempted scissor-kick from Sidibe, but the next real opportunity was a Harlow Town one.

Jared Small played through Denzel Effah with a superb threaded ball, nutmegging Benjamin Lewis-Gold in the process. Effah struck it first-time but Nasim got a strong hand on it to keep his side ahead.

Aside from this, it was a quiet first-half, with Hackney Wick going in with a lead at the break.

The second half was similar to the first. It started with a flurry of pressure from Harlow, with Teddy Jones and Denzel Effah getting shots away, the latter of which coming from a great passage of play. However, there was nothing with any real sting at the end of it.

Teddy Jones came close when his header went over from a corner and at this stage, Hackney Wick had slipped out the game slightly, having not had a real chance in a long time.

Moments after, Hackney Wick went down the other end on another pacey counter-attack, Leo Lopate attempted to double the lead but, one-on-one with James Pellin, he failed to hit the target.

Harlow continued to huff and puff, looking for a goal to equalise the game. It did not matter what form the goal came in, they just needed it to find the net. Arley Barker decided to have a go from a long distance. His shot was okay but travelled over.

The biggest chance so far came for James Love on the edge of the box after it bounced to him from a corner. It was difficult to tell whether he made contact or whether a Hackney Wick player cleared it. Regardless, the ball flew over the bar.

Once again, Harlow pushed everyone forward but Hackney Wick defended well and only allowed Harlow half-chances.

In the 84th minute, Dan Heald was dispossessed by Issa Sidibe, who bursted forward with immense pace to put himself one-on-one with James Pellin. The striker made no mistake of the opportunity and slid it past Pellin, doubling Hackney Wick’s lead and putting one hand on the trophy for the Wick.

The Hackney Wick support exploded as chants begun; they were about to win the cup.

Substitutions followed for Danny Chapman’s side, namely the introduction of Gavin Cockman and Korede Da Silva in place of Jared Small and Arley Barker.

Adam Cheniti got a good shot away for Hackney Wick as they looked to put the game beyond any doubt, but James Pellin was strong and palmed it away.

Leo Lopate had a major chance to finish it once and for all after he was played in by Issa Sidibe, but the forward curled it slightly wide, with James Pellin rooted to the spot.

Into stoppage time, it looked almost nailed on that Hackney Wick would be lifting the trophy come the full-time whistle, but Harlow did not give up. They came forward again. Syrus Gordon played it to Terrell Egbri on the right-wing who crossed it into Gavin Cockman. The striker headed it into the post and the ball bounced out into the path of James Love who found the bottom-left corner. Harlow grabbed the ball with urgency. Moments remained.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, it was too little, too late. The final whistle was blown, the referee called time on the game and Hackney Wick’s support went wild.

A tough feeling for the 700 or so Harlow Town supporters who had made the short trip to Aveley in the hopes of seeing their side lift a second trophy this season and complete a double, cup final defeat.

Hackney Wick got their revenge on Harlow for robbing them of their league title so late on in the season, and all the reds could do was watch as Hackney Wick lifted the trophy.

It was an unfortunate result for the Hawks, but we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved this season, and are super thankful for the sensational support all season, we hope to see you all soon.

We’d like to thank Aveley Football Club for agreeing to host the final, as well as the Thurlow Nunn League for having the final moved to a more local and accessible venue for both sides.

We’d also like to thank Hackney Wick for a superb rivalry all season, congratulations on the win, and good luck in the playoff final.

No matter what, despite all the haters, and people who pledge to put us down, we always rise and we are massive.

The next episode of Unfiltered - Harlow Town FC will be released promptly, and it’s certainly going to be an interesting watch following yesterday’s events.