FA Cup Second Qualifying Round

Kings Lynn 1 v 0 Harlow Town

Report courtesy of Ian Barham at Harlow Town

HARLOW Town were dumped out of the FA Cup in a game that saw four players sent off.

The first half started tentatively as neither team could establish any control on the game. Alex Read went close when his overhead kick crept past the post from a tight angle, before a long range effort from Fabion Simms went wide.

With half an hour on the clock, a late challenge from Jared Small earned himself a place in the referee’s notebook. A clumsy foul in almost the same spot three minutes later saw a second yellow card, leaving the Hawks facing the prospect of playing almost an hour with a man deficit.

Jordan Yong had the best chance for the hosts when his driven shot was saved well by David Hughes, tipping the ball around the post.

Mario Noto sent a free kick up and over the wall for Harlow, but it went the wrong side of the post.

Jacek Zielonka could have put King’s Lynn ahead just before half time, when a cross was whipped in from the left. He couldn’t get enough power behind it, and David Hughes held the shot.

HT: King’s Lynn Town 0-0 Harlow Town

The second half opened up a little, with both sides producing a better standard of football.

A corner fell to Toby Hilliard at the back post, and he had time to control before shooting. Harlow’s David Hughes was equal to the effort, getting his body behind the shot and holding well.

Mario Noto broke beyond the defence for Harlow, albeit at a tight angle, before hitting over under pressure from a defender.

The best chance of the game so far came on 72 minutes, when substitute Leon Mettam was put through on goal. David Hughes reacted well, coming off his line quickly to tighten the angle, forcing Mettam to shoot wide.

Harlow had been on top in the second period, but being a man down took it’s toll on 78 minutes as the hosts went ahead.. Toby Hilliard broke down the right, putting s well-placed cross into the area for Gary Mills to head home from close range.

On 85 minutes came the main talking point of the game. A poor tackle from behind on Harlow’s Ibrahima Sonko sparked a melee that included most of the players and staff from both teams.

Harlow’s Syrus Gordon was shown a red card for his involvement in the scuffle, with Leon Mettam and goal-scorer Gary Mills also being sent off for the hosts.

More drama was to follow, when a Harlow goal was disallowed on 89 minutes. A cross into the King’s Lynn box was caught by stopper Alex Street, who then inexplicably dropped the ball over his head and into the goal.

Mario Noto followed up the ball into the back of the net, but the assistant referee raised his flag for an infringement.

Deep into injury time, Leon Antoine met a cross from a corner, but his glancing header went wide of the post, and with it and chance of a Harlow comeback.