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HARLOW TOWN 2, SOUTHEND UNITED XI 0

Pre-season friendly, 19/07/08

Match Report by GARY LEHAL

Photography by TONY FOWLES

HARLOW Town produced an impressive display in their first game of the pre season build up with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over a youthful Southend XI.

Exciting atmosphere surrounded the friendly, and an attendance of 296 gathered inside Barrows Farm as the match got underway.

The opening minutes of the friendly saw some impressive attacking play from Harlow, with the opposite goalkeeper having to make two great saves in as many minutes.

The best chance came when Shaun Gliddon fed James Bunn in the penalty area, who lifted the ball over to debutant Jamie Richards on eight minutes.

The new frontman powered a downward header towards goal, but Southend keeper Clarke Masters was able to produce a save to keep his side from conceding an early goal.

Southend responded instantly, attacking through former Hawks work experience player Rhys Henry, who used his pace to move into the Harlow area and unleash a shot that powered just wide of goal.

Henry was later brought down inches outside the penalty area, and stepped up to take the free kick. He curled the ball around the wall, but James Hasell made a comfortable first save in goal.

In the 17th minute, a shaky Southend defence had to rely on Masters coming out of his area to stop Jamie Richards’ shot from 20 yards away.

Soon after, James Bunn rifled a first time shot from 14 yards that missed the goal by inches.

Harlow kept up the pressure with some more attacking play, but were caught on the break as Rhys Henry once again leaped on a through ball and tested Hasell, who stood tall to block the winger’s shot.

The deadlock was broken in the 33rd minute by Hawks skipper, James Bunn. Full back Mark Taylor supported the wingers well, and it paid off after he found the ball 10 yards past the half way line and delivered an early cross over the Southend defence. The Harlow captain was able to strike a left footed volley past Clarke Masters for his side to lead 1-0.

Lewis Baker made a great last-ditch tackle on Henry before half time, sending Harlow into the break ahead by one goal.

The home side made four changes as the second half kicked off, with Ryan Kirby, Gregg Williams, Beckett Hollenbach and goalkeeper Michael Dumoulin all given the chance to impress.

The pace of the game faltered early in the second half, with the first real meaningful piece of action taking place just past the hour mark. Man of the Match Mark Taylor fed Ainsley Gasper inside the opposition area, whose right-footed shot swept wide of the far post.

Trialist Chris Groves increased the home side’s lead in the 73rd minute, as the forward hit a left footed shot into the bottom corner of the net, outside of Clarke Masters reach.

The goal sparked life into the game, with Harlow increasing in confidence as Anthony Charlton, a Hawks Reserves player last season, tried an audacious lob over Masters, although the ball drifted wide.

Substitute keeper Dumoulin came out of his area to stop Southend scoring a consolation after another ex-work experience player, James Lindie, found space for a shot in the 79th minute, and three minutes later Harlow’s Ainsley Gasper threatened the opposite goal with a volley that went wide.

Danny Green had the chance to score a final goal, moments before the final whistle, but the Southend keeper’s outstretched leg blocked the shot.

Harlow Tn: James Hasell, Mark Taylor, Lewis Baker, Danny Chapman, Harrison Tague, Clark Akers, Leon Lalite, Jordan Fowler, Jamie Richards, James Bunn, Shaun Gliddon. Subs used: Chris Groves, Ainsley Gasper, Beckett Hollenbach, Ryan Kirby, Gregg Williams, Danny Green, Anthony Charlton, Michael Dumoulin.