The HAWKS went to Essex on a cold and miserable afternoon on a mission to bolster their impressive away form and put a dent in Harlow’s league topping home form. Dan Strugnell returned to the starting XI after a few weeks put with injury.
The game started very cagey with very few chances of note throughout the opening exchanges. The Hawks had to make their opening sub after 28 minutes after Rory Williams pulled up after was we now know as a freak injury sustained by Ed Harris standing on his little toe and the whole nail coming off. He was replaced by Lee Molyneaux.
It was a game with physicality and middle of the pitch bite, which was mainly why chances were few and far between, but Harlow after the half hour had a great chance when the ball was placed into the penalty area but Jared Small could only put the opportunity across the face of goal. Then minutes later the Hawks had a decent opportunity of their own as the ball was crossed into the penalty area but Jason Prior’s effort went wide.
HALF-TIME: HARLOW TOWN 0-0 HAWKS
With the sheer amount of coffee being consumed at half-time in the main stand, they wanted to be warmed up in the second half. They got what their way as after a cagey opening period the Hawks of both sides gave us a fiery spectacle to witness.
With the game being fairly even the deadlock was broken by the Hawks 8 minutes into the second salvo as Theo Lewis gets the ball in the penalty area finding that extra yard over the Harlow defence before driving the ball home to give the Hawks of Havant the advantage.
This was the game changer as the goal changed the shape of what was prior, a fairly even contest. They started to assert their authority with dominant spells of possession at times shutting their opponents out of the encounter, However Harlow were not going to lie down to the onslaught in which Havant were providing, with Junior Dadson having a few half chances following balls being put into the penalty area.
The introductions of Wes Fogden and George Barker saw an injection of pace and the pair were thorns in Harlow’s side as they kept getting stuck into what was a very physical encounter. The two were to then combine for the second as Barker running down the wing had the ball deflected onto Wes Fogden who comfortably slots the ball into the net, cueing the celebrations with the small Hawks faithful who made the brave trip on a bitterly cold afternoon.
Fogden sealed the icing on the cake but as the fourth official added 5 minutes on in extra time they had a go but the closest they got was another Dadson half chance, with the whistle blown the Hawks recorded yet another impressive away win.
FULL TIME: HARLOW TOWN 0-2 HAWKS; Lewis ’53 Fogden ‘88
Next up for the Hawks is a Valentines Day PSC Semi final against AFC Portchester, why don’t you bring your loved one to Westleigh Park to see the Hawks bromance try and book a place into a potential Fratton Park finale.
Henry Deacon
Attendance: 216
Henry Deacon Media 