© 2008 Harlow Town Football Club
HARLOW TOWN 1,
ENFIELD TOWN 2
Pre-
Match Report by GARY LEHAL
Photography by DENISE JEFFERY & TONY FOWLES
ENFIELD Town took revenge on Harlow for last year’s friendly defeat, with a 2-
The match started at a good pace, with some early chances for both teams.
An early foul by Rio Alderton on Leon Lalite within three minutes of kick-
Lalite stepped up, only to curl his shot inches over the bar.
The first effort on target came from Enfield Town’s Luke Marshall, after Jeff Hammond’s pass left him with a free header towards goal. But Harlow stopper Michael Dumoulin caught the ball to nullify any threat.
In the 19th minute, Harrison Tague found Jamie Richards in the area with a beautiful pass. The forward turned and unleashed a shot, which drifted wide of the left post of Eric Pudaloff’s goal.
Both sides struggled to make an impact as the match proceeded towards half time, with defences from either team working hard to ensure they were not the first to concede.
However, after the first display of sloppy defending from the visitors in the 38th minute, Jordan Fowler almost broke the deadlock as he found the ball at his feet and powered a shot from outside the area, but his effort flew wide.
The visitors responded, producing the best chance of the first half. Rudi Hall dribbled down from the left wing into Harlow’s area, squaring to Luke Marshall. The forward managed to control the ball, and delivered a right foot shot which thundered off the cross bar.
Marshall was determined to make an impact for Stewart Margolis’ side, and managed to fire another shot minutes later from 25 yards out. Keeper Dumoulin caught the ball to the relief of the home supporters.
At half time, the Hawks made three substitutions with hope of changing the game. Clark Akers, Mark Taylor and Danny Chapman came on as Ryan Kirby’s men looked to take control of the match.
Seven minutes into the second half, however, Harlow conceded their first goal of the game. Ricci Grace received a through ball from the right wing, striking the ball as soon as his sights were on goal into the bottom left corner of the net.
The Towner’s looked to put the game beyond doubt, after Jeff Hammond found himself goal side after a long ball put him through. His early low shot glided goalwards, producing a good save from Dumoulin.
James Hasell was bought on between the sticks on the hour mark, and was instantly called into action. A free kick taken by Rudi Hall almost floated in for Enfield Town’s second goal, but the outstretched arms of Hasell blocked the shot.
The home side equalised in the 70th minute, after Clark Akers delivered a threatening cross from the right wing towards Chris Groves. Enfield Town captain Adam Gant blocked Groves effort, but only as far as Shaun Gliddon who drilled in from close range.
Harlow’s celebrations lasted only eight minutes, after Hammond controlled a long ball and hit a shot that Hasell parried into Max Mitchell’s path. Mitchell simply tapped the ball into an open net to restore Enfield Town’s lead.
The away side almost extended their lead before the final whistle, with Mitchell only denied a second goal by the Hawks keeper.
Harlow Tn: Michael Dumoulin (James Hasell, 60), Harrison Tague (Mark Taylor, 45), Becket Hollenbach, Michael Gliddon (Kevin Warren, 53), Ryan Kirby (Danny Chapman, 45), Gregg Williams (Shaun Gliddon, 64), Leon Lalite (Clark Akers, 45), Jordan Fowler, Jamie Richards (Chris Groves, 64), James Bunn, Danny Green (Lewis Baker, 60).
