Ryman Premier

Harlow Town 0 v 2 Billericay Town

Report courtesy of http://www.harlowtownfootballclub.co.uk

HARLOW had the first sight of goal when Jared Small and Craig Pope played a neat one-two to put the winger into the area. A well-timed slide tackle from Billericay captain Rob Swaine dispossessed Small as he shaped to shoot.

The visitors showed their intentions early on when Billy Bricknell lobbed Harlow stopper David Hughes, only to see the ball bounce off the post. Layne Eadie hooked the ball out of danger, but it was a warning shot for the Hawks.

Ex-Premier League defender and new signing Paul Konchesky played a good diagonal ball in to Adam Cunnington in the box, but David Hughes dived low to the bottom corner to keep out the header.

Harlow went close themselves, when Mario Noto allowed the ball to run between his legs and through to Junior Dadson behind the defence. Billericay stopper Alan Julian palmed away a rasping shot to preserve the lead.

Another of Billericay’s new signings, Mekhi McLeod, was a handful all game, and three minutes before the break he set-up the first goal. His good cross found the unmarked Cunnington in the middle to nod in for a half-time lead.

HT: Harlow Town 0-1 Billericay Town

Mario Noto had a couple of half-chances from outside the area, but couldn’t find the target as the Hawks struggled to break down the Billericay defence.

A second goal on 54 minutes gave the visitors breathing space, with McLeod having a hand in this goal too. His mazy run down the left channel was cut back to Billy Bricknell who picked his spot inside the post to put Billericay two goals up.

McLeod had his own shot at goal when he cut in from the left, but another good save from David Hughes kept hopes of a comeback alive.

The visitors almost added a third mid-way through the second half. Cunnington smashed a shot goalwards from 20 yards that was tipped onto the crossbar by David Hughes. The ball cannoned off the bar and back down into the six yard box, and although Bricknell followed up with the finish the flag was raised for offside.

Harlow finished the game strongly. With 10 minutes left to play a corner fell to Ibrahima Sonko in the box, but it wouldn’t sit nicely for the defender and somehow he hit over from just three yards out.

Captain Craig Pope, making his 100th appearance for the Hawks, then headed another corner over the bar, before Alex Read, who had been kept quiet most of the game by a strong defence, saw a shot saved.

The Hawks could have no complaints about the result, and the win keeps the ambitious Billericay side in touch of a playoff spot.