Harlow win but miss out on title

Harlow went into the game knowing that a win was vital to have any chance of taking top spot in the league. In the end title rivals Needham Market won their game in spectacular fashion anyway, securing their place as champions in the process.

Alex Read, returning to the starting line up, put the Hawks ahead during a dominant opening period, before the visitors hit back through a converted corner. Read then set-up Leon Antoine to re-take the win, but by this time the majority of the 832 spectators were well aware that Needham Market had won the title.

The Hawks made their intentions known early on with a ferocious attacking spirit in the opening half an hour. The Thamesmead players were given no time or space on the ball and at times struggled to get out of their own half.

Daniel Matsuzaka had two chances early on. He found Robbie Martin’s corner at the back post, but his header was from a tight angle and he could only find the roof of the net. Just minutes later he again rose highest to head a corner goalwards. Having beaten Tom Warren in the Thamesmead goal it was headed clear by a defender on the line.

David Cowley then crossed in from the left, finding Leon Antoine unmarked near the penalty spot. The tall striker should have made the ‘keeper work for it, but his header flew over the bar.

The pressure told on 24 minutes when Junior Dadson and Layne Eadie played a neat one-two to split the Thamesmead defence. Eadie got to the byline and his low cross was tapped in by Alex Read at the near post. The finish marked his 31st league goal of the campaign, and confirmed his place as top scorer in the division for the second consecutive season.

Despite controlling possession, the Harlow defence were undone by a set-piece on 31 minutes. Farai Hallam took an inswinging corner, and Tyrus Gordon-Young was unmarked in the middle to head home the equaliser. Despite Andrew Walker getting a hand to the ball, he could only push the powerful header into the roof of the net.

As the half came to an end, Layne Eadie was penalised for a slide-tackle on the edge of the area, but Ashley Probets’ free kick went well over the bar.

HT: Harlow Town 1-1 Thamesmead Town

The second half was a much more subdued affair, no doubt due to the fact that news of the half-time score from the Chatham Town vs Needham Market game was filtering around the ground. Needham had moved into a commanding 3-0 lead, and only a defensive collapse would see them drop points and succumb the title.

Nevertheless, the Hawks were keen to go out on a win. Layne Eadie and Junior Dadson once again worked well together on the left to produce a cross. Alex Read’s looping header beat the visiting ‘keeper, but bounced off the bar.

David Cowley then ran from the half-way line, before cutting inside on his right foot. He low shot was tipped around the post.

Harlow re-took the lead on 62 minutes. A corner took a glancing header to send it towards the other corner flag. Alex Read chased the ball and just kept it in play, before sending an inch-perfect cross back in towards Leon Antoine in the box. Warren had no chance of keeping out the close-range header.

Jared Small, David Cowley and Junior Dadson all created further half-chances but good defending kept the scoreline down.

The final whistle approached, and goalscorer Gordon-Young had a final chance in what had been a game of limited opportunities for the visitors. He volleyed well to convert a cross from the left, but the ball went wide of the post.

FT: Harlow Town 2-1 Thamesmead Town
ATTENDANCE: 832

The Hawks finished the league campaign on a hugely impressive 103 points. They suffered only 5 losses during the 46-game season, but an equally impressive Needham Market side just clinched the title with 104 points.

As a result, Harlow enter the Playoffs for the third time in five seasons, looking to go one step further than the losing finalist stage from last year. The opponents for the semi-final will be Thurrock, who finished in 5th with 84 points.

Kick off will be at 7:45pm on Wednesday 29th April.