(a) Waltham Abbey

Match report and photos from Cheshunt friendly

Match report and photos from Southend United XI friendly

Tough start as Ryman fixtures are announced

WALTHAM ABBEY 4,

HARLOW TOWN 0

Pre-season friendly, 02/08/08

Match Report by GARY LEHAL

Photography by TONY FOWLES

HARLOW succumbed to a 4-0 defeat at Capershotts Stadium at the hands of Waltham Abbey.

The Hawks failed to overcome treacherous conditions of bad weather, a worse pitch and unpopular refereeing decisions.

Waltham Abbey only took four minutes to penetrate the Harlow defence and open the goal scoring.

A long ball from Danny Webb on the left wing found Harry Elmes inside the penalty area, and he was able to slot a right-footed shot past the visitors’ goalkeeper Michael Dumoulin.

Things only got worst for the Hawks after a penalty was conceded as Billy Holland was brought down in the box. Lee White converted the penalty, sending Dumoulin the wrong way as he pounded the ball into the top left corner.

The Hawks keeper was again called into action in the 19th minute after a through ball left James Elmes behind the defence bearing down onto goal. Dumoulin rushed out to snatch the ball from the player’s feet to keep his side from conceding yet another goal.

However, Dumoulin was left stranded three minutes later as the home side extended their lead. A miss-pass by the away side goalkeeper left Elms with a chance on goal, and this time the forward made most of the opportunity. He managed to take the ball past two defenders, ride a tackle and lob the goalkeeper for his sides’ third goal.

Ryan Kirby’s men tried to attack with the ball, but a mixture of bad passes and great defending from the hosts left their own defence exposed.

Marc Sontag was left goal side after another failed Harlow attack, but the winger rushed his shot and sent the ball wide.

The visitors’ first effort on target came from Shaun Gliddon. The player rose above two defenders after Leon Lalite delivered a corner, although keeper Joe Taylor managed to get a hand to the ball.

In the 36th minute, Harlow tried to produce a comeback after Clark Akers received a pass from Shaun Gliddon deep in Waltham’s area. Akers chose to shoot with power rather than precision, but the shot rebounded off Taylor.

Minutes later, the Hawks had the chance to score a goal from the spot. Danny Webb brought down James Bunn with a hard sliding tackle in the area to award Harlow a penalty. Captain Bunn took the penalty, although his low shot was parried clear by keeper Taylor.

The Abbotts scored their fourth goal of the game as the match approached half time.

Jordan Bostock threaded a ball into the path of Billy Holland, and the forward showed great composure after he chipped the ball above a Harlow defender and powered a shot into the back of the net.

Soon after, Harlow appealed for a second penalty after a seemingly blatant handball from a Waltham defender halted an attack. James Bunn and Danny Green protested vigorously without success, and a yellow card was eventually produced to Green as he failed to accept the decision.

The second half failed to live up to the first, as both midfields battled for the ball without much success.

The visitors received a further blow ten minutes into the half when substitute Jamie Richards was forced off after a horrific clash of heads with a Waltham Abbey defender.

The striker had only been on the field since half time, and after receiving treatment for a head wound from Hawks physio Paul West-Hook, he was replaced by Lewis Baker, with Danny Green assuming a position up front.

The few subsequent shots taken failed to threaten either goal, and the referee blew the final whistle to the relief of the Harlow supporters.

Harlow Tn: Michael Dumoulin, Mark Taylor, Shaun Gliddon, Beckett Hollenbach, Danny Chapman, Clark Akers, Leon Lalite, Jordan Fowler, James Bunn, Chris Groves, Danny Green. Subs used: James Hasell (GK), Jamie Richards, Lewis Baker, Steve Jones, John Mbamarah.