Walter Figueira started brightly for the visitors, but too often his good work on the right wing failed to deliver any end product. After a series of neat step-overs, he dragged a shot wide with the first attempt at goal.

Alex Read then went close for the Hawks as he ran onto a through ball from Jared Small, but his floated shot went just over the bar.

The game sparked to life with a moment of brilliance from Harlow’s Jared Small. The winger cut inside on the edge of his area and chipped a shot towards the top corner leaving Bognor ‘keeper Billy Granger stranded.

Harlow were pressing high up the field and giving the visitors no space on the ball in a frenetic first half. Syrus Gordon and Alex Read both tried a shot from distance, but Billy Granger was equal to the efforts, collecting easily.

Walter Figueira set-up a great chance for Ollie Pearce to equalise just before half-time, but the shot went into the side netting as Harlow went into the break with a narrow lead.

HT: Harlow Town 1-0 Bognor Regis Town

Bognor Regis were much sharper in the second period, and could have drawn level when Dylan Barnett burst through into the area. Ibrahima Sonko came across to cover with a well-timed tackle to clear the danger.

The Hawks continued to put pressure on Bognor Regis. A tantalising driven cross into the box from Alex Read was just inches away from being turned in by Kieran Bishop at the back post.

Calamitous defending on 72 minutes gifted the Hawks a second goal. Granger panicked under pressure from a backpass, only clearing as far as Mario Noto. Noto sent Kieran Bishop behind the defence to cross from the byline. Alex Read beat the goalkeeper to the ball to tap in and double the lead.

Just four minutes later Read notched his second of the game, when he turned home a cross from Jared Small, the ball looping over Granger and into the net to take his season’s tally to seven.

Bognor Regis pulled one back after 80 minutes to continue the goal flurry. Substitute Alex Parsons headed home from close range to give the visitors hope of a comeback.

Parsons had an opportunity to pile on the pressure late in the game, when he found himself with space in the 6 yard box, but his free header went wide as Harlow saw out the remainder of a hard-fought victory.

FT: Harlow Town 3-1 Bognor Regis Town
ATTENDANCE: 307

The result moves the Hawks into eighth place in the league table, with 10 points from the opening seven games.

Next up Harlow are in cup action, travelling to Waltham Abbey for the Alan Turvey Trophy sponsored by Robert Dyas. Kick off is at 7:45pm on Tuesday 13th September.