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).
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