Thurlow Nunn League Division South

Harlow Town 6 v 0 Burnham Ramblers

It was yet another fantastic showing from Danny Chapman’s men, as they showed no mercy and beat Burnham Ramblers 6-0, in a rainy game that many would argue Harlow could’ve scored double the number of goals that they did.

Burnham came into the game, having not won in 9 games, but were still 12th in the Thurlow Nunn League before the game.

Chapman made one change in preparation for this game, with Gavin Cockman coming out of the team with an injury, and Ishaq Ameen starting up front alongside Raheem Gray as Harlow played with what could be interpreted as a 3-5-2 formation for the second successive game.

The first of 24 shots of the game for Harlow saw Ishaq Ameen play a great ball into Raheem Gray who was lurking in the box; a good save from Toby Phillips denied him the opener. Just seconds later, Ishaq was fouled in the box and the referee awarded a Harlow penalty. Jack Cousins fired the penalty into the bottom-left corner, but it was well anticipated by Toby Phillips who got down quickly and saved it.

It wasn’t long at all before the opener did come for Harlow – with a corner leading to a scramble in the box and the ball landed for Ishaq, who touched it into Raheem Gray, who didn’t fail to dispatch it and make it 1-0 to Harlow.

The attacks kept coming for Harlow, who’s confidence on the ball was hugely benefitting them. Junior Dadson flew down the wing and delivered a perfect cross straight into Ishaq, who met it with his head and had seemingly put the game beyond doubt already.

Chance after chance fell for the Hawks, with three shots from Raheem Gray; shots from Arley Barker, Junior Dadson, Ruben Santos, Ishaq Ameen failing to find the net, but little did they know that a historic goal was about to come.

Since re-joining the club this season, it has been mentioned a number of times that Junior Dadson was close to having scored 100 goals for Harlow Town Football Club. The moment finally came for him against Burnham. A trademark finish, cutting inside on his right foot was too hot to handle for a desperately diving Phillips confirmed the moment for him. Junior ran towards the fans, celebrating with them, as Donna (club Secretary) held her specially-made 100 goals sign for Junior, a centurion.

Another two chances fell for Raheem Gray to end what had been a terrific half from Harlow Town. One was saved and the other was blocked.

The message at half-time must have been “more of the same” as that is exactly what the reds delivered, not taking their foot off the pedal whatsoever. Burnham’s first shot on goal all game came from a 30-yard free kick that was hit straight down the throat of James Pellin and didn’t trouble him at all. Raheem Gray then had another chance from a cross but just fell short, before Ishaq grabbed his second goal of the game with a chance that was begging to go in. The Burnham defender cleared it off the line but only straight back into Ishaq who punished once again.

Chances continued to come for Harlow, with Ruben Santos, Raheem Gray and Ishaq Ameen all coming close, but James Folkes extended the lead to 5-0 with a beauty of a header from a corner.

Ishaq had the chance to claim a hat-trick, and as the whole stadium were on the edge of their seat, his attempt squeezed past the post and wide. Being 5-0 up, the possibility of assistant manager Leon Antoine getting some minutes was very high, and that’s exactly what happened, with him scoring with his first touch of the game again, a trademark bullet header from Leon.

A late chance fell for Burnham, with Joshua Fisayo being through on goal and a hugely important save from James Pellin secured the clean sheet for him and the team, with the game finishing a massive 6-0 win for the Hawks.

The result leaves them in second place, six points behind league leaders Dunmow Town.

They return to action on Tuesday away at Stanway Rovers in the Essex Senior Cup.