Mens First Team
Matches
Sat 17 Dec 2016  ·  Premier Division
Leiston
5
2
Harlow Town Football Club
Mens First Team
J Small (11'), R Melaugh (90')
Hawks slump to heavy defeat

Hawks slump to heavy defeat

Ian Barham17 Dec 2016 - 22:18
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Harlow came out second best in their trip to promotion-chasing Leiston, who fully deserved their comprehensive 5-2 win.

The Hawks had started well and went ahead early on through Jared Small. The hosts hit back with a fortunate goal, before going ahead just before half time.

Leiston were gifted a third after a defensive mistake, and with Harlow chasing the game in the second period two quick counter-attacking goals put the hosts in an unassailable position

Tempers frayed towards the end of the game, with Seb Dunbar given his marching orders for Leiston following two quick yellow cards. The Hawks did claw one back in injury time through Ryan Melaugh, but it was little more than a consolation goal in a game where they had been second best.

The visitors came out firing, looking to bounce back from the midweek defeat to Needham Market. Ryan Melaugh’s shot from the edge of the area fizzed past the post, before he set-up the opening goal on 11 minutes when his low cross was hit home by Jared Small at the back post.

Harlow went on to dominate the opening 20 minutes, with Jared Small causing problems on the right wing. His twisting run turned Leiston left-back Seb Dunbar inside out, before a blistering shot grazed the bar.

Small had a great opportunity minutes later when he broke clear of the defence to chase a through-ball, but home ‘keeper Jacob Marsden was quick off his line to tackle at Small’s feet and clear the danger.

The visitors began to find their feet, and the warning signs were there when Gareth Heath blazed over a good opportunity from the edge of the area.

David Hughes was forced into a couple of good saves to deny the advancing Leiston attack, who were getting stronger as the fog thickened.

Leiston equalised in fortuitous circumstances on 37 minutes. A shot at the back post from Patrick Brothers took a heavy deflection and flew into the net, wrong-footing David Hughes who had already started moving to his left.

Just four minutes later Leiston completed the turnaround when goal-scorer Brothers crossed for Oliver Brown at the back post. He had time to compose himself, control and shoot home to take the lead.

HT: Leiston 2-1 Harlow Town

The hosts were on top for large periods of the second half, as Harlow seemed unable to get a foothold in the game.

Matt Blake wasted a good chance for Leiston soon after the re-start when he smashed over at the back post, but the third goal came minutes later.

Leiston had a corner that Hughes was unable to hold onto, and the ball careered off Billy Jones and into the net to give the hosts a two goal cushion.

Nico Muir then almost made it four when his 35-yard effort curled just wide of the post.

Harlow upped their game and had a good spell of pressure, but they weren’t able to create meaningful chances. Ibrahima Sonko’s header from a corner was easily collected, before substitute Leon Antoine was inches away from a good cross in front of goal.

The game was effectively over on 64 minutes, when Harlow were caught on the counter-attack. A good run and finish from Nico Muir killed off any chance of a Harlow comeback.

The game descended into a scrappy affair, with the referee brandishing several yellow cards to both teams and the fog continuing to hamper any enjoyment for the spectators.

On 76 minutes the hosts scored their fifth of the game. Another counter-attack down the left was cut-back by Seb Dunbar to substitute Joe Marsden who finished well.

With the game crawling towards the finish, Leiston’s Seb Dunbar, who had been one of the best players on the pitch, inexplicably earned two yellow cards in as many minutes to put a dampener on the Leiston victory.

Harlow pulled on back in injury time when a good run by Bamba Ngamb was squared to Ryan Melaugh inside the area to finish, but it was unable to lift the spirits for a Harlow side who had been second best on the day.

FT: Leiston 5-2 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 224

The result drops Harlow into 13th in the league table, still on 30 points from 22 league games.

Next up, the Hawks host Merstham in the final game before Christmas on Tuesday 20th December. Kick off is at 7:45pm.

Match details

Match date

Sat 17 Dec 2016

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

224

Competition

Premier Division

League position

4
Leiston
13
Harlow Town
Team overview
Further reading

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