HARLOW TOWN 1 AFC WIMBLEDON 3 Ryman League Premier Division Saturday 27th October 2007

Match report by GRAEME AUGER & BILLY SHAW
Photographs by TONY FOWLES

STEVE Ray presented AFC Wimbledon’s Tony Finn with the match ball after serving his final day as Harlow Town chairman on Saturday.
Finn bagged a hat-trick for the visitors in front of 807 people at Barrows Farm after the Harlow chairman’s resignation was announced prior to kick-off.
David Lee, who returned to the club having played against the Hawks for AFC Hornchurch, started in midfield, while new signing Raphael Sylvester was given a place on the bench.
Meanwhile, Michael Dumoulin started in goal having been out of first team action through injury and then illness since September 29th.
Young striker Danny Green had a chance to put the home side ahead on 5 minutes, but fluffed his lines in front of goal after a cross from Leon Lalite.
Tony Finn raced in behind the Hawks back line shortly afterwards, but found himself at too tight an angle after rounding keeper Dumoulin, and his cross was dealt with the by Harlow defence.
The Dons took the lead in the 16th minute when an uncharacteristic mistake by Hawks player/boss Ryan Kirby left their attackers with space to go forward.
Kirby was robbed in midfield by Mark De Bolla, who in turn played in Finn, allowing the striker to smash high into the net.
De Bolla stung Dumoulin’s hands on 24 minutes with a quick shot from long range.
The visitors went 2-0 up in the 28th minute. Following an attack down the left involving Michael Haswell and Steve Ferguson, the latter crossed to the near post and Finn headed in from close range to double his tally.
Nippy midfielder Leon Lalite forced a good stop from Wimbledon keeper Andy Little on 33 minutes, before De Bolla tested Dumoulin at the other end with a free kick a minute later.
Harlow were thrown a lifeline on the stroke of half time, when Jake Leberl brought down Danny Green in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Mark Taylor stepped up to drive the resulting penalty home, despite keeper Little getting a hand to the ball.
But five minutes into the second period, Wimbledon restored their two-goal advantage as Finn completed his hat-trick.
De Bolla again played him into space, and he ran on to beat Dumoulin with a fierce shot into the net.
Lee Miles was then shown the yellow card for a late challenge on the charging Steve Ferguson.
Finn almost added another in the 63rd minute, but shot into the side netting, before Daniel Webb went close with a header for the Dons shortly afterwards.
Hawks management opted to change their strike force, with James Bunn and Danny Green making way for Dean Williams and Raphael Sylvester, who has signed on a work experience basis from Leyton Orient.
But the visitors continued to control the match, and with 20 minutes remaining, another Webb header was well held by Dumoulin in Harlow’s goal.
With seven minute left, the Hawks nearly reduced the arrears when Lalite’s good run and cross resulted in substitute Williams striking well on the turn, the ball flying inches wide of the far post.Harlow Tn: Michael Dumoulin, Mark Taylor (sub: Michael Gliddon, 75), Kevin Warren, Lee Miles, Ryan Kirby, Beckett Hollenbach, Leon Lalite, David Lee, James Bunn (sub: Dean Williams, 64), Kenny Davis, Danny Green (sub: Raphael Sylvester, 64). Subs not used: Danny Chapman, David Hogan (GK).

HARLOW TOWN 0 BRENTWOOD TOWN 1 FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round Replay Tuesday 23rd October 2007

Match report by Billy Shaw
Photographs by Tony Fowles

RYAN Kirby’s hopes of a good cup run for his side were dealt potentially a terminal blow when bogey side Brentwood Town dumped the Hawks out of the FA Trophy.
The only chance of cup success that now remains for the Barrows Farm occupants is the Essex Senior Cup, in which they have drawn Redbridge away in the third round.
Harlow failed to avenge their earlier FA Cup exit at the hands of Brentwood on Tuesday night, with Steve King heading home the only goal of the game on 15 minutes.
Management chose to run with exactly the same Harlow line-up as that which drew 1-1 in the original tie three days earlier.
Keeper David Hogan got low to block Joao Carlos’ effort on 12 minutes, two minutes before Brentwood captain Danny Dafter slipped over in midfield, letting in Clark Akers, but the attacker pulled his shot wide from 25 yards.
Brentwood scored the simplest of goals on the quarter-hour mark, with Steve King rising to divert a free header from Lee Noble’s corner into the net.
Jordan Fowler was placed in the referee’s notebook for a late challenge on a Brentwood defender in the 26th minute, before the visitors again went close with an aerial attack, Gareth Street flicking a header just over from Dafter’s cross on 31 minutes.
Sean Thomas also headed over the bar 11 minutes into the second half after a cross by Joao Carlos, as the home side struggled to mount any effective attacks on the leaders’ goal.
Jordan Fowler was replaced by Danny Green midway through the second period as the hosts’ changed formation to play three up front in search of an equalizer.
But with the visitors refusing to sit back on their one goal advantage, Terry Scotchmer forced a good stop from David Hogan with a free kick on 76 minutes, awarded for Lee Miles’ foul on substitute Leon Diazcuk.
Dean Williams wasted an opportunity for the Hawks when he blazed wide after receiving a cross-field ball and cutting inside the area a minute later.
James Bunn hurled himself at Leon Lalite’s corner to force a save from visiting stopper Marc Palmer with ten minutes remaining, before Danny Green also tested the keeper from inside the area.
But Green was left kicking himself for not finding the net when he volleyed just wide from close range after being fed from the right by Williams on 81 minutes.
With time running out for Ryan Kirby’s men, Brentwood had the last effort, with David Hogan called into action again to deny Carlos in added time.Harlow Tn: David Hogan, Kenny Davis, Mark Taylor, Lee Miles, Ryan Kirby, Beckett Hollenbach, Leon Lalite, Clark Akers, James Bunn (sub: Michael Gliddon, 85), Jordan Fowler (sub: Danny Green, 68), Dean Williams. Subs not used: Kevin Warren, Joe Watson, Michael Dumoulin (GK).

BRENTWOOD TOWN 1 HARLOW TOWN 1 FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round Saturday 20th October 2007

Match report by Billy Shaw
Photographs by Tony Fowles

THERE’S something about the Brentwood Arena that Harlow can’t deal with.
That was the impression that came from the Hawks’ second visit this season as Ryan Kirby’s men drew 1-1 in the FA Trophy first qualifying round to force a replay.
James Bunn had put the visitors ahead with Harlow’s first goal in open play since their visit to Chelmsford City on 24th September, before Leon Diazcuk replied for Brentwood.
Bunn had tested the defence early in the match, getting goal side of his marker before shooting wide after being played in by Kenny Davis.
But the frontman hit the target at the next time of asking when he capitalized on a mistake by Terry Scotchmer.
A long clearance from goalkeeper David Hogan lofted over the sun-blinded defender’s head and into Bunn’s path, the attacker running on to slot past Marc Palmer in the hosts’ goal on 12 minutes.
A long-range drive from Mark Taylor midway through the first half forced Palmer to get low to prevent the visitors from doubling their tally.
At the other end, dangerous Sean Thomas headed wide from Lee Noble’s cross on 25 minutes.
Keeper Hogan kept his side’s lead intact with two great saves just before half time.
He firstly pounced on Danny Carroll’s 43rd minute effort after the attacker was fed by Danny Dafter, before making a great save to deny Sean Thomas on the stroke of half-time.
James Bunn should have scored again two minutes after the restart, but he missed a free header six yards in front of goal after a cross from Kenny Davis on the right.
Brentwood went close a minute later through Gareth Street, who fired over the bar after receiving a squared pass from Noble.
Street then watched another effort fly wide of the post in the 61st minute.
Another good chance was wasted by the visitors when Clark Akers sent Dean Williams through on goal, but possession was wrestled away from him by defender Chris Neville and keeper Marc Palmer on 72 minutes.
Brentwood equalized in the 75th minute when substitute Leon Diazcuk stroked home from eight yards after a ball across the area from Danny Carroll.
After that, neither side looked particularly interested in stealing the victory, with both teams apparently happy to settle for a replay at Barrows Farm.
However Mark Taylor did go close with one of his trademark free kicks, which sailed marginally over the bar on 79 minutes.
Danny Dafter was sent off in added time after his dissent earned him a second yellow card.
But the Brentwood captain was left fuming, and had to be forced into the dressing room by the home officials after a further outburst of temperament.Harlow Town: David Hogan, Kenny Davis, Mark Taylor, Lee Miles, Ryan Kirby, Beckett Hollenbach, Leon Lalite, Clark Akers, James Bunn, Jordan Fowler, Dean Williams. Subs not used: Danny Green, Kevin Warren, Joe Watson, Michael Dumoulin (GK).

STAINES TOWN 3 HARLOW TOWN 0 Ryman League premier Division Tuesday 16th October 2007

Match report by Billy Shaw
Photographs by Tony Fowles

RYAN Kirby’s side certainly didn’t deserve defeat by the eventual three-goal margin after their midfielders in particular put on such a solid display.
But with the strikers misfiring, spectators were left bemused as to why Hawks management declined to introduce another striker as a substitute, with Danny Green and Daryl Doolan named on the bench.
Both the young starlets remained in the dugout for the duration, with Jordan Fowler’s introduction into the midfield after injury with seven minutes remaining evidently proving the only change necessary.
Elsewhere, Michael Gliddon started in place of the suspended Danny Hill.
Clark Akers shot substantially over the bar after being fed by Leon Lalite eight minutes into Tuesday night’s clash, before Akers’ free-kick flew just in front of the charging James Bunn, who couldn’t make enough ground to get to the ball and divert it goalwards.
A half-chance fell to Lalite mid-way through the first half, but the midfielder’s shot sailed low through a crowded Staines defence, before taking a bounce and proving a relatively easy stop for home goalkeeper Shaun Allaway.
Marc Charles-Smith stormed forward at the other end, but Akers retreated from midfield to stay goal side of the attacker to see the dangerous ball out for a corner on 24 minutes.
A free-kick conceded eight yards outside the Harlow box by Clark Akers saw Staines denied an opener by the woodwork on the half-hour.
Dwain Clarke’s left-footed shot straight from the set piece struck the bottom of keeper David Hogan’s left-hand post, before Beckett Hollenbach cleared from the rebound.
James Bunn pulled a volley just wide of the far post four minutes after the break after a mistake by the Staines defender allowed him to latch onto Lee Miles’ high ball out of the defence.
The home side took the lead against the run of play in the 51st minute. Dave Sargent played Victor Asombang in behind the defence, whose shot went in off the underside of the bar.
A clever chip into the area by Lalite saw Dean Williams chasing to reach it, but keeper Allaway came off his line and beat him to it on 53 minutes.
Asombang doubled his tally on the hour mark, running on to Lee Miles’ clearance and drilling low into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.
James Bunn fed Akers on 66 minutes, who valiantly battled through a crowded midfield, holding off several Staines players before forcing a low save from Allaway.
With 11 minutes left, Marc Charles-Smith headed over the bar from point blank range after a cross from the left by substitute Howard Newton.
Leon Lalite’s cross proved wasteful as no Harlow player was present in the box to meet it on 87 minutes.
Staines then added a third in added time to notch up a very flattering scoreline in their favour.
Charles-Smith appeared to be offside when Lee Miles’ clearance rebounded off the back of a Staines player, but the flag stayed down and the attacker tucked home.Harlow Tn: David Hogan, Kenny Davis, Mark Taylor, Lee Miles, Ryan Kirby, Beckett Hollenbach, Leon Lalite, Michael Gliddon, James Bunn, Clark Akers (sub: Jordan Fowler, 83), Dean Williams. Subs not used: Danny Green, Daryl Doolan, Lewis Baker, Michael Dumoulin (GK).

HENDON 1 HARLOW TOWN 1 Ryman League Premier Division Saturday 13th October 2007

Match report by Billy Shaw
Photographs by Tony Fowles

CLARK Akers’ goal on the stroke of half-time helped the Hawks to a 1-1 draw at premier division table-toppers Hendon on Saturday.
But the mood afterwards suggested Harlow should have taken three points rather than one, having looked impressive throughout.
Hendon threw bodies forward in the second half in search of the equalizer, and eventually found it in the 88th minute through Daniel Dyer.
Popular defender Beckett Hollenbach returned to action for the first time since the match against Tonbridge Angels on 8th September following a spell on the sidelines through injury, while Danny Chapman was missing after sustaining a knee injury in training two days previously.
The opening ten minutes didn’t provide anyone with any real chances, but Clark Akers’ cross in the 11th minute would have caused Hendon problems had it not been fractionally too long for James Bunn to get his head to the ball.
Harlow demonstrated some determined, flowing passing moves, in particular in the 16th minute when Mark Taylor cleverly exchanged passes with James Bunn on the left, before playing into the path of Akers, whose low shot rebounded off keeper Luke Blackmore.
Dean Williams latched onto Taylor’s cross two minutes later, but the frontman fired into the side netting.
Hendon’s Craig Vargas was shown the first yellow card of the match just before the half-hour mark for a dangerous studs-up challenge on Kenny Davis.
A lapse in communication among the Hawks’ defenders allowed Brian Haule to steam through and force a good reflex save from Harlow stopper David Hogan ten minutes before the interval.
The visitors took the lead on 45 minutes through Clark Akers, who bent a free kick around the wall and in off the far post with Blackmore left standing. The set piece was awarded for Davis Haule’s foul on Leon Lalite inches before the 18-yard line.
Midfielder Danny Hill had taken a slight knock moments before the break, and for the second half, young prospect Joe Watson ran out in his place.
A clever ball from Leon Lalite found Kenny Davis on the right on 53 minutes, with keeper Blackmore forced to get low to push his effort out for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Akers’ shot rebounded off the keeper, before Blackmore also blocked James Bunn’s shot in a goalmouth scramble. Hendon defender Marc Leach then arrived to smash the ball away.
On the hour mark, Lalite found Akers with a cross-field pass, the attacker seeing his left-footed effort stopped only by the outstretched right foot of the committed Blackmore.
As Hendon forced more people up front, substitute Daniel Dyer cut inside of Mark Taylor with 20 minutes remaining and lashed a ball across which proved just too long for Gondzia Arkadiusz.
Akers was caught by the offside trap on 73 minutes, and although play had already been halted, he harmlessly hit the post from 25 yards, for which he was deemed to have kicked the ball away and was subsequently cautioned.
Despite being surrounded by at least four Harlow defenders, Belal Aiteouakrim still managed to get a shot away, which sailed wide of the far post.
Jamie Busby’s cross from the left on 86 minutes found it’s way to Arkadiusz, who shot wide of the near post having had time and space on his side.
Prior to SEVEN minutes of added time, Hendon found the equalizer in the 88th minute.
Busby again provided a cross from the left wing which found Daniel Dyer, who struck a low volley unstoppably into the bottom corner of Hogan’s net.Harlow Tn: David Hogan, Kenny Davis, Mark Taylor, Lee Miles, Ryan Kirby, Beckett Hollenbach, Leon Lalite, Danny Hill (sub: Joe Watson, 45), James Bunn, Clark Akers (sub: Danny Green, 82), Dean Williams. Sub not used: Daryl Doolan, Lewis Baker, Michael Gliddon.

HARLOW TOWN 0 AFC HORNCHURCH 0 Ryman League Premier Division 6-10-07

Match report by Billy Shaw

Photographs by Tony Fowles

THE two teams promoted from division one north played out an entertaining game, with Harlow coming away from the afternoon with a useful point.
Ryan Kirby’s men stepped up one place to 13th in the premier division standings as a result.
James Bunn, who has been carrying a slight ankle injury for the past few weeks, was rested, with Danny Green starting up front alongside Dean Williams.
Things look promising for the Hawks’ after a sparkling first team debut for Darryl Doonan, who came on for the last 20 minutes in attack.
The young starlet impressed right from his introduction after coming up through the reserve team, while fellow reserves prospect Joe Watson was also named on the bench.
The hosts made a lively start, with Dean Williams, Kenny Davis and finally Leon Lalite all seeing shots blocked by some frantic Hornchurch defending.
A low cross from Mark Janney forced a Harlow defender to clear the danger with Andy Tomlinson lurking in the area on 16 minutes.
Simon Parker, who tormented the Hawks defence throughout, tried his luck from the edge of the area after a solo run through the midfield on 20 minutes, but on-loan keeper David Hogan wasn’t notably troubled.
Parker was later fed by Harry Elmes and, after stumbling and then turning inside defender Ryan Kirby, watched his dipping effort drop just over the bar.
Mark Taylor tried a left-footed chip from close range at the other end, but his shot also went over the bar on 37 minutes.
Taylor then forced Urchins stopper Dale Brightley to concede a corner four minutes before the break with a cross-cum-shot from deep on the left which outfoxed Hornchurch’s number one.
Shaun Gliddon sent Dean Williams roaring through, but a saving challenge came in from Richard Goddard on 43 minutes as the sides went in level at half-time.
Harlow keeper Hogan spilled David Lee’s cross a few seconds into the second half, before reacting sharply to catch Elmes’ goalward stab.
The ball broke free in midfield on 48 minutes, allowing Danny Hill to collect and control before shooting past the post from 25 yards out.
Parker forced a fine save from Hogan on 53 minutes, before the forward was tackled by Ryan Kirby in a separate attack three minutes later.
Dean Williams squandered Harlow’s best chance of the game on the hour mark when he blasted wastefully wide after a well-timed long pass from Leon Lalite.
A Mark Janney cross proved just too long for Harry Elmes to reach in the hosts’ area on 68 minutes, before Harlow replaced Danny Green with Darryl Doonan.
The youngster had an immediate effect, delicately laying off Clark Akers, who subsequently shot just wide of the far post in the 72nd minute.
Danny Hill, who was given a straight red card in the Ware game four days earlier, was booked for a foul on Parker with a quarter of an hour to play.
In a similar occurrence to that involving Dean Williams earlier, substitute Shane Oakley wasted a great chance for the visitors when he found time and space in the Harlow box, only to smash into the side netting.
Akers stung keeper Brightley’s hands on 83 minutes with a long range effort, before Harlow’s custodian prevented Parker from stealing maximum points for his side.
Andy Tomlinson sent Parker clear on 86 minutes, but Hogan raced out of goal and heroically blocked the Hornchurch player’s goalbound shot with his right arm.Harlow Town: David Hogan, Kenny Davis, Mark Taylor, Lee Miles, Ryan Kirby, Danny Chapman, Leon Lalite, Danny Hill, Danny Green (sub: Darryl Doonan, 70), Shaun Gliddon (sub: Clark Akers, 63), Dean Williams. Sub not used: Michael Gliddon, Beckett Hollenbach, Joe Watson.

HARLOW TOWN 1 WARE 3 (aet) Isthmian League Cup 2nd round 2-10-07

Match report by Billy Shaw
Photographs by Tony Fowles

TEN-man Harlow rounded off a miserable spell by losing out to division one north side Ware in the Isthmian League Cup.
The Hawks were left cursing, having led until the second minute of stoppage time despite having Danny Hill sent off, when Michael Bardle sent the game to extra time.
Then goals from Steve Horsey and Chris Ellerbeck sealed the win for the visitors, who returned to Barrows Farm having provided the opposition for the first ever game at the new stadium just under a year ago.
Boss Ryan Kirby drafted in the services of goalkeeper David Hogan as emergency cover following the injury sustained to Michael Dumoulin during Saturday’s monstrosity at Brentwood.
Shaun and Michael Gliddon both came into the starting line-up, while Danny Chapman (illness) and Jordan Fowler (injury) were both absent.
Harlow began promisingly, with James Bunn steering a glacing header wide from Kenny Davis’ 3rd minute cross.
Shaun Gliddon’s deflected cross forced defender Stuart Hammonds to head over his own bar in the 14th minute, before a good save from keeper Hogan at the other end thwarted Kai Ramshaw directly from a free kick two minutes later.
Shaun Gliddon’s corner caused Ware problems, the ball falling to Lee Miles, who was denied at point black range by stopper Scott Reynolds, before Dean Williams stole in, flicking just over the bar seven minutes before half-time.
James Bunn forced another good save from Reynolds a minute later after good hold-up play by Dean Williams provided him with a glimpse of goal.
Five minutes into the second period, Miles headed wide from Clark Akers’ free kick.
Hawks midfielder Danny Hill was given a straight red card on 64 minutes for deliberately kicking out at Sam Berry in retaliation after the Ware substitute had fouled him. Berry received a caution for his part in the incident.
Harlow took the lead immediately, with free-kick specialist Mark Taylor stepping in to serve up another sublime strike which curled around the wall and into the top corner of the net.
Steve Horsey saw his effort ruled out for offside on 80 minutes, before Ware finally made their advantage in numbers count in the second minute of added time.
The home side failed to clear their lines after a corner from the left, allowing Michael Bardle to divert a header inside Hogan’s left-hand post to send the game to extra time.
Chris Ellerback scooped wastefully over the bar in the 93rd minute after Joe Steven’s cross, before Danny Green shot over the bar for Harlow four minutes later.
The visitors went ahead on 99 minutes when Paul Burton sent Horsey through, the attacker beating the offside trap before slotting home.
Hogan raced out of his area to dispossess Horsey, before the ball came to Ramshaw, who took his time before sending a shot just wide of the retreating keeper’s post with five minutes left.
Chris Ellerbeck latched onto Danny Gudgeon’s long pass to go clear and stroke home to seal it for the visitors in the 117th minute.
Harlow Tn: David Hogan, Kenny Davis (sub: Lewis Baker, 58), Mark Taylor, Lee Miles, Ryan Kirby, Michael Gliddon, Shaun Gliddon, Danny Hill, James Bunn (sub: Leon Lalite, 56), Clark Akers, Dean Williams (sub: Danny Green, 88). Sub not used: Beckett Hollenbach.

BRENTWOOD 2 HARLOW TOWN 0 FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round 29-9-07

Match report by Billy Shaw
Photographs by Tony Fowles

THE Hawks are in tatters after an atrocious performance saw them exit the FA Cup at the second qualifying round stage.
But it gets worse for player/boss Ryan Kirby, who is without an obvious choice for a first team goalkeeper after Michael Dumoulin was hospitalized.
The 18-year-old injured his knee trying to avert the hosts’ second goal, and after staying down for over five minutes, was stretchered out of The Brentwood Arena on Saturday.
With first choice stopper James Hasell also sidelined, Kirby handed the gloves to defender Lee Miles for the last quarter of an hour.
Harlow looked weak from the start. Dumoulin had to make a low stop to deny Lee Noble, who shot after cutting into the box from the left on four minutes.
Dumoulin again saved from Noble two minutes later after the attacker had raced half the length of the pitch, with Kenny Davis picking up the pieces to clear the danger.
Davis saw a gap in the Brentwood defence and scooped goalwards, but it proved an easy catch for keeper Mark Palmer.
Leon Lalite crossed to James Bunn on 18 minutes, but the attacker’s first-time shot flew marginally over the bar.
Danny Dafter shot wide for the hosts, before Dean Williams saw his effort rise over the bar after Lalite showed clever vision with a penetrating through-ball on 24 minutes.
A long clearance from keeper Palmer sent Sean Thomas clear just before the half-hour mark, but the former Stansted striker was thwarted by the advancing Dumoulin.
With the Hawks struggling to mount any threatening attacks, Danny Chapman was cautioned for hauling down Brentwood’s Joao Carlos on 34 minutes.
Ryan Kirby then had to make a saving tackle to halt Thomas after he was fed by Danny Carroll four minutes before the break.
Danny Green replaced Dean Williams for the second half as Harlow tried to find some firepower from somewhere, but they were deflated in the 53rd minute when Brentwood took the lead.
The referee adjudged Ryan Kirby to have tripped Carlos just outside the area and awarded a free kick. Terry Scotchmer was one of three players queueing up to take the kick, and curled a right-footed shot around the wall into the net, leaving Dumoulin standing.
Further substitutions proved fruitless as the visitors struggled to find the gumption required to at least put a decent string of passes together.
Mark Taylor’s free-kick caused Palmer little trouble in the Brentwood goal 20 minutes from the end after Lalite was brought down by Carlos.
The home side put the game to bed in the 76th minute amid a cloud of controversy.
Kenny Davis tussled with Lee Noble in midfield and went to ground, but the referee allowed play to continue, with Carlos latching onto a cross-field ball and cutting inside the box to score.
Dumoulin was caught by the scorer in the process and stayed down for a long period while an ambulance was called before he was carried off. He was taken to Queens Hospital in Romford with a knee injury.
Kirby had used all his allocated substitutes, although there was no replacement keeper named on the bench anyway, so Lee Miles played in goal as Harlow continued with ten men.
And it was Miles who stopped Brentwood netting a third, grabbing the ball from the feet of substitute Leon Diaczuk on 87 minutes.
To their credit, the Hawks did go close in the dying minutes when Lalite’s shot was well held by Palmer with James Bunn prowling.Harlow Tn: Michael Dumoulin, Kenny Davis, Kevin Warren (sub: Mark Taylor, 58), Lee Miles, Ryan Kirby, Danny Chapman, Leon Lalite, Danny Hill, James Bunn, Clark Akers (sub: Michael Gliddon, 67), Dean Williams (sub: Danny Green, 45). Subs not used: Shaun Gliddon, Lewis Baker.

CHELMSFORD CITY 2 HARLOW TOWN 1 Ryman League Premier Division 24-09-07

Match report by Billy Shaw
Photographs by Tony Fowles

CHELMSFORD’S winner seemed inevitable in the end as Harlow’s defensive line was brought to it’s knees.
Just shy of 1,000 people watched Monday night’s match at Melbourne Park, in which the hosts looked lethal in the last 20 minutes.
The decimated Hawks defence could do nothing to stop Ricky Holmes’ blistering solo effort on 88 minutes which gave Chelmsford the three points.
Kenny Davis marked his 100th competitive appearance for the Hawks with a solid performance on the right, while Shaun and Michael Gliddon were both unavailable through sickness.
James Bunn lashed atrociously wide on 12 minutes after Ryan Kirby’s ball out of the defence was flicked in his direction, with both sides failing to fully settle down.
Jon Keeling was a threat on the left side of the box, but a saving tackle from Kenny Davis prevented him from getting in a cross just prior to the quarter-hour mark.
In the next instance two minutes later, Keeling did managed to get the ball through to Chris Duffy, who went down under a challenge from Danny Chapman, but the referee emphatically waved away City’s claims for a penalty.
Leon Lalite smashed Harlow into a 28th-minute lead with a sensational strike into the top corner with the outside of his right foot.
Danny Hill found Dean Williams deep on the right, who beat defender Duffy before passing inside to Lalite, allowing him to smash past former Bishop’s Stortford keeper Danny Gay in the Chelmsford goal.
The visitors continued to battle, but City drew level seven minutes later.
A high corner from Lee Protheroe caught the defending Hawks napping, allowing City skipper Andy Duncan to rise high and place a firm header into the net.
Both sides made a lively start to the second half, and Lalite almost sent Williams clear on 51 minutes, but keeper Gay raced off his line to beat him to the through ball.
The Hawks defence would have had to deal with a tirade of attacks had Chelmsford placed any of their crosses correctly, with Lee Protheroe the evident main culprit of misplacing long passes when going forward.
Ben Sedgemore didn’t cause Harlow stopper Michael Dumoulin too much trouble with a scooped effort on 54 minutes, before a rejected penalty claim at the other end left Dean Williams livid.
Williams tripped as he latched onto Jordan Fowler’s through ball on 59 minutes, but the referee indicated it was not the fault of any of the three City defenders riding his coattails.
James Bunn had to crane his neck to get his head to Lalite’s cross, but the attacker headed wide on 64 minutes.
Harlow hearts were in Harlow mouths when Ricky Holmes headed against the bar with 20 minutes left after Protheroe’s corner was flicked on.
The ball then rebounded dangerously into a crowded area, but the Hawks cleared their lines after a scramble.
Michael Dumoulin’s heroic diving save to deny Holmes from 20 yards out prompted a rapturous applause from all 979 in the crowd two minutes later.
City substitute Bertie Brayley shot across goal but he watched as his effort sailed past the upright.
Lee Miles defended resolutely as City really began to squeeze in search of the inevitable winner, but it was only a matter of time.
Dumoulin did well to keep hold of Brayley’s low drive from the edge of the box on 86 minutes, and despite efforts to bolster Harlow’s crumbling defence with the introduction of Kevin Warren, Chelmsford scored two minutes from the end.
Miles’ header out fell to Holmes, who mirrored a couple of his earlier efforts by cutting into the midfield, riding weak challenge after weak challenge and unleashing a left-footed pile driver into the top corner which not even the impressive Dumoulin had a chance of reaching.Harlow Tn: Michael Dumoulin, Kenny Davis, Mark Taylor (sub: Kevin Warren, 87), Ryan Kirby, Danny Chapman, Lee Miles, Leon Lalite, Danny Hill, James Bunn, Jordan Fowler, Dean Williams (sub: Danny Green, 73). Subs not used: Clark Akers, Lewis Baker.

HARLOW TOWN 0 HASTINGS UNITED 0 Ryman League Premier Division 22-09-07

Match report by Billy Shaw

Photographs by Antony Fowles

POSITIVES can be taken from the Hawks’ goalless draw with Hastings United as their point won on Saturday pushed them up into 10th place in the Ryman premier division.
An impressive late save from keeper Michael Dumoulin ensured the hosts took something from the game after a decent second-half performance from United.
The teenage goalie kept a second successive clean sheet after starting again in light of the recent departure of Ian Joyce.
First choice keeper James Hasell remains sidelined with a hand injury, but sportingly still attends Harlow’s matches to cheer on his colleagues, with Saturday being no exception.
Dean Williams was left kicking himself early on when he failed to score with an open goal gaping at him following James Bunn’s ball in.
Williams steered the ball goalwards at close range, but was denied by a goalline clearance from Rhys Whyborne on three minutes.
Russell Eldridge found the side netting at the other end three minutes later after being fed by Dan Spice.
Jordan Fowler fancied his luck from long range, but only found the roof of the net on 15 minutes, and went yet closer with a second shot from a similar distance six minutes later, this time striking the framework.
A menacing ball in from Ade Olorunda had keeper Dumoulin beaten on 26 minutes, but defender Danny Chapman retreated to clear the danger.
Chapman was on hand again to thwart Hastings’ attack in the 38th minute, bravely blocking a low drive from Eldridge.
The visitors upped the pace in the second period in search of an opener, but the Hawks defended resolutely.
Harlow mounted their own attack nine minutes after the restart, but Leon Lalite could only watch as his speculative shot sailed wide.
Dean Williams charged forward on 58 minutes, but went to ground under pressure from three Hastings defenders as United obstructed the Hawks’ attacking attempts.
A good saving tackle from Whyborne prevented Williams again on 63 minutes, before the Harlow striker was cautioned for a bad tackle two minutes later.
Olorunda raced away on the break with 20 minutes left, but Lee Miles recovered to block his effort, while lively winger Dan Spice also went clear but launched the ball high over the bar from long range.
Spice again got into space on 80 minutes, but his early cross was too long for substitute Sam Adams to reach.
Hawks management made a double substitution with eight minutes of normal time remaining, introducing Danny Green and Kenny Davis in a bid to find a goal.
Lalite sent Green through behind the defence shortly after the changes, but United keeper Lee Worgan raced off his line and beat the attacker to the ball.
Lee Carey would have nicked it for Hastings had it not been for the fast reactions of Dumoulin on 86 minutes.
The Hastings substitute was laid off by Olorunda after Spice’s throw-in, but the stopper dived low to his right to push his effort round the post.Harlow Tn: Michael Dumoulin, Mark Taylor, Kevin Warren (sub: Shaun Gliddon, 87), Lee Miles, Ryan Kirby, Danny Chapman, Leon Lalite, Danny Hill (sub: Kenny Davis, 82), James Bunn, Jordan Fowler, Dean Williams (sub: Danny Green, 82). Subs not used: Michael Gliddon, Lewis Baker.

HARLOW TOWN 2 CONCORD RANGERS 0 FA Cup 1st qualifying round 15-9-07

Match report by Billy Shaw

Photographs by Tony Fowles

EXACTLY 45 years and seven days after Harlow Town lost the first FA Cup tie to be played at the Sportcentre Ground 2-0 to Wealdstone, Ryan Kirby’s troops dumped Concord Rangers out by the same scoreline in the first FA Cup match at Barrows Farm.
Mark Taylor and Danny Chapman hit classy strikes in the first half for a Hawks side much changed since their league clash with Tonbridge Angels a week previously.
Michael Dumoulin took over goalkeeping duties, while Ryan Kirby, Michael Gliddon and Mark Taylor made starts in the back line.
Leon Lalite’s quick free kick sent Dean Williams clear on four minutes, but the striker could only find the side netting.
James Bunn turned Dan Trenkel on the edge of the box after being fed by Taylor, but fired over the bar before Harlow took the lead on 18 minutes.
Lalite was clipped by a Concord defender earning a free kick, which allowed Taylor to step up and curl an exquisite ball around the wall and into the top corner from 25 yards out.
The first of eight yellow cards brandished by referee Mike Smith was shown to Danny Hill in the 19th minute for his protests at a free kick awarded against Ryan Kirby.
Concord should have equalized on 26 minutes when Danny Hayzleden provided a pinpoint cross to the unmarked Chris Stowe, but the attacker failed to make contact with his head and the ball sailed harmlessly wide.
Stowe went close a minute later when his low shot deflected off Ryan Kirby and beat Michael Dumoulin in goal, but fortunately for Harlow it also cleared the crossbar and landed on the roof of the net.
The Hawks doubled their advantage on 38 minutes after Leon Lalite’s corner caused chaos in the Concord goalmouth.
The ball was scrambled out and fell to James Bunn, whose shot rebounded off a defender amongst a mass of bodies in the area before coming out to Danny Chapman, whose delightful volley flew past keeper Phil Skelton into the net.
Jordan Fowler flashed a low shot past the upright three minutes after the restart, before Stowe was left kicking himself for missing another golden opportunity when he ran on to meet Michael Begg’s cross but headed wide on 55 minutes.
Danny Chapman and Concord’s Danny Hayzleden were both cautioned for a clash between them just before the hour mark, while player/boss Kirby was also booked for unnecessarily kicking the ball away on 65 minutes.
In midfield, Leon Lalite demonstrated some clever passing moves with the assistance of substitute Clark Akers before getting a left-footed shot away which flew wide on 68 minutes. Akers himself forced a good stop from keeper Skelton shortly afterwards.
Begg was adjudged offside after keeper Dumoulin had spilled a low drive from Hayzleden and the ball was played back in, the linesman’s flag denying the prowling attacker on 86 minutes.
Referee Smith upset Hawks fans late on when visiting stopper Skelton committed himself and appeared to bring down Clark Akers in the box, but the official was adamant there was no penalty to be given.Harlow Tn: Michael Dumoulin, Mark Taylor, Kevin Warren, Michael Gliddon, Ryan Kirby, Danny Chapman, Leon Lalite, Danny Hill (sub: Clark Akers, 57), James Bunn, Jordan Fowler, Dean Williams (sub: Danny Green, 80). Subs not used: Shaun Gliddon, Lewis Baker, Lee Miles.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS 1 HARLOW TOWN 2 Ryman League Premier Division 8-9-07

Match report by Billy Shaw

Photographs by Tony Fowles

MARK Taylor made a sensational return to first team action as the Hawks recorded their third Ryman premier division victory in eight days.
Taylor, who came on as a substitute mid way through the second half, hit a 90th minute winner as Harlow came from behind to seal the points at Longmead Stadium on Saturday.
He had missed the previous few games, but did feature in Harlow Town Reserves’ 4-1 defeat by AFC Hornchurch three days earlier.
Experienced midfielder Danny Hill missed Saturday’s game, watched by 352, due to a stomach bug, and was replaced in the starting line-up by Shaun Gliddon.
Tonbridge missed a golden opportunity to take an early lead when Tommy Tyne beat the offside trap but shot wide with only the keeper to beat on eight minutes.
With Harlow’s defence in tatters, the hosts pulled off the same trick again four minutes later when Hamid Barr raced behind the defence to latch onto Ray Powell’s ball down the right wing, escaping the linesman’s flag but again dragging a low shot wide.
Shortly afterwards, Harlow’s Leon Lalite curled a free kick into the side netting from deep on the left following Powell’s late tackle on Dean Williams.
The home side took the lead on 15 minutes through Scott Kinch after a controversial officials’ decision.
To the confusion of the crowd, the linesman inexplicably signaled for a Tonbridge free kick on the right wing. It was unclear what the set piece was awarded for, but Ryan Martin took the kick and a glancing touch from Tommy Tyne saw the ball deflect off Harlow keeper Ian Joyce into the path of Kinch, who duly stabbed home from six yards.
Two minutes later, nippy forward Jon Main rounded keeper Joyce, but Beckett Hollenbach retreated to block the attacker’s shot.
The visitors equalized on the half-hour mark when Jordan Fowler played a through ball into the path of James Bunn, who took control of the ball before shooting low past home goalkeeper Matt Reed into the far bottom corner of the net.
Kevin Warren played Dean Williams into space on 41 minutes, but the striker blazed over the bar after cutting into the midfield to get his shot away.
Tonbridge came close to doubling their lead ten minutes after half time when a mistake by Danny Chapman let Hamid Barr in behind the defence, and having beaten the keeper, the midfielder could only watch as his effort rebounded off the post, with Harlow recovering to mop up the danger.
At the other end, Kenny Davis’ deflected cross looped over the defence to Williams, but the attacker’s low volley on the turn hit keeper Reed on 62 minutes.
With a quarter of an hour to go, the Tonbridge defence failed to clear their lines after Leon Lalite’s corner, and Davis’ ball back in needed only a slight touch from Williams to force a low save from Reed.
Williams fought off pressure from Kurt Husnu to get a cross in with ten minutes remaining, but James Bunn’s header came off a defender and went out for a corner.
Seconds later, Davis fed Lalite, who tested Reed’s reactions with a sharp shot from the edge of the area, which the keeper did well to hold.
Mark Taylor scooped all three points for the Hawks on 90 minutes when his in-swinging ball from the left evaded everyone in the box and sailed into the far corner of Reed’s net.Harlow Tn: Ian Joyce, Kenny Davis, Kevin Warren (sub: Mark Taylor, 68), Beckett Hollenbach (sub: Ryan Kirby, 82), Lee Miles, Danny Chapman, Leon Lalite, Shaun Gliddon, James Bunn, Jordan Fowler, Dean Williams. Subs not used: Danny Green, Michael Gliddon, Michael Dumoulin (GK).