Eastern Counties League Division South

Harlow Town 1 v 2 Hackney Wick.

THIS was this reporter’s first visit to the Pardus Wealth Arena this season. We rely on their media manager Logan Young for the reports and very grateful we are.

With two key players missing due to injury, this was always going to be a challenge. That despite Harlow being top of the league.

But Hackney, in second place at the start of the day, are having a very good season and so Harlow would have to be at the very best to beat them. They weren’t.

Both sides started sprightly enough but Harlow’s defence looked very flat footed whilst Hackney looked sharp, especially the diminutive Leo Lopate, who was being given acres of space in which to play.

And so despite a few half chances, it was Hackney who took the lead in the 7th minute, when Lopate played a through ball for John Silva to slot home the opener.

Hackney wasted further opportunities through Lopate, Issa Sidibie, and Nixon, with Lopate rattling the post when clean through on goal.

However, Lopate made it two in the 40th minute when he picked up the ball from halfway, interchanged passes with Adam Cheneti, took on three defenders, and smashed a stunning shot into the top corner to make it 2-0 at halftime.

Harlow looked misshapen and very out of sorts. After half time, Jesse Ansen came on for Fred Agyemang. It created a better shape but it had no real effect as Harlow could not find a way of gelling.

Players such as Jack Zelinski tried and tried to make progress but it looked to to no avail.

A great free kick by Denzel Effah saw Harlow pull one back. They dominated large parts of the second half and had plenty of chances to score but squandered so many.

Hackney held on to claim three vital points. Whatever Wick midfielder Khaniel Brown did at then caused him to receive a red card. He wasn’t happy but hid it very well.

This just wasn’t Harlow’s day. They will look back and reflect and say it just wasn’t there day or perhaps they will look at their squad and think how they can strengthen it.

The attendance was a whopping 457. It may be Step 6 and you do factor that in when watching and reporting. You do understand that some players are playing in the local park league next day. And although they lost, this was an entertaining game.

Harlow drop to second place, just two points behind Hackney Wick, with a game in hand but there is a long way to go.

Harlow return to action on Wednesday, away at AS London.