Ryman Premier Division 18/08/07Match report by BILLY SHAW
LIFE in the Ryman Premier Division started adequately for Harlow Town as Ryan Kirby’s troops took a well deserved point from Leyton.
Bolstered by the signing of former Spurs midfielder Danny Hill, the Hawks put on an impressive display at Lea Bridge Road on Saturday, outplaying their London opposition for large parts of the game.
But despite Hill’s influence, and the awarding of a first half penalty, the visitors couldn’t find a goal.
When Leon Lalite was upended in the box by Marc Cumberbatch in the 18th minute, Mark Taylor stepped up to try and net Harlow’s first premier division goal for over 20 years.
But the glory wasn’t destined for the full back, whose right-footed spot kick was at just the correct height for goalkeeper Jamie Lunan to dive to his right and punch away.
Seconds after the penalty miss, James Bunn saw his glancing header from Kenny Davis’ cross sail wide, before Lalite’s foul on Solomon Henry in the 21st minute earned the Hawks captain a caution.
American keeper Ian Joyce, who was granted full clearance to keep goal for Harlow last week in the absence of James Hasell, pulled off a fine save on 37 minutes to deny Dale Alcher from 25 yards, before Dean Williams shot straight at Lunan under pressure from two defenders at the other end.
Williams was replaced in attack by Danny Green five minutes before half time after the striker complained of calf trouble.
Leon Lalite’s in-swinging free kick could have caused Leyton serious problems on 51 minutes, but James Bunn launched his effort over the bar from six yards out.
Jordan Fowler became the second Harlow player to receive a yellow card two minutes later after the midfielder brought down Leyton’s Solomon Henry.
James Bunn and Danny Chapman both made unsuccessful attempts at goal just before the hour mark, before keeper Joyce made a brilliant reflex save to deny former Hawks favourite Sammy Winston on 61 minutes.
Joyce then had to come off his line to deny Winston again on 70 minutes. The attacker went clear of the defence after a mistake in midfield by Fowler, but his shot was charged down by the advancing stopper.
New signing Danny Hill, who looked strong in the second half, prodded a weak effort at Lunan on 78 minutes, before Dale Alcher and Vas Soteriou were both booked for respective fouls.
A late cry for a penalty by the home side was turned down by the referee after Solomon Henry claimed he was brought down by Harlow substitute Clark Akers.Harlow Tn: Ian Joyce, Kenny Davis, Mark Taylor (sub: Clark Akers, 67), Lee Miles, Ryan Kirby, Danny Chapman, Leon Lalite, Danny Hill, James Bunn, Jordan Fowler, Dean Williams (sub: Danny Green, 40). Subs not used: Beckett Hollenbach, Shaun Gliddon, Michael Dumoulin (GK).
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