Harlow Town 3-2 Southend United, Saturday 19th October 2013, Harlow Arena, Kick-Off 3:00pm, Essex Senior Cup supported by BBC Essex Third Round.

By Robert Craven

HARLOW Town evoked memories of one of their most famous campaigns with a 3-2 Essex Senior Cup Third Round win over Football League club Southend United on Saturday.

In 1979/80, the Hawks reached the Fourth Round of the FA Cup, disposing of Southend and Leicester City before eventually being defeated by a Watford side managed by future England boss Graham Taylor. Although this success in the BBC Essex-supported competition may not reach the national acclaim of 34 years ago, it was an impressive display by the Ryman League outfit against United’s promising youngsters.

All of the goals at the Harlow Arena were condensed into the second half as a brace from Seedy Njie – who the previous evening had been on the substitutes’ bench for the Shrimpers’ 2-0 League Two success against Fleetwood Town – failed to cancel out contributions from Daniel Brown, Alex Read and Shane Stamp.

Harlow could have gone in front as early as the 2nd minute when both Leon Antoine and Stamp had chances to convert Robbie Martin’s dangerous left-wing free kick. A combination of Southend defender Daniel Matsuzaka and goalkeeper Luke Chambers averted the danger, and Chambers proved why he has earned youth international recognition with Wales seconds later as he spectacularly turned away Antoine’s header from another Martin set piece.

Chambers made another save, this time low to his left to deny James Smith, in the 10th minute before opposite number Darren Behcet made an impressive stop of his own to beat away Mitchell Pinnock’s back-post half-volley after a quarter of an hour. Southend began to come to terms with Harlow’s experience, and the 3G surface, as the first half progressed and, although the hosts still enjoyed opportunities, the goalmouth activity was shared.

Chambers got a crucial touch to Alex Read’s cross to divert it away from the on-rushing Smith and Stanley Muguo also scooped a shot over for Harlow, whilst Darren Blewitt was called upon to clear Njie’s close-range finish off the goal line and Pinnock’s own attempt was deflected inches wide at the other end.

That late effort was a sign of Southend’s growing confidence at the end of the first period, but they were rocked by another Harlow onslaught at the beginning of the second half. Stamp sliced wide when well placed to open the scoring in the 47th minute and Chambers saved well from Read, but a precise Martin free kick two minutes later was met by a towering Brown, who planted his header home to make it 1-0.

Njie almost responded when a fierce finish squirmed underneath Behcet and a defender had to skirt around the custodian to clear but, instead, the Hawks doubled their advantage just after the hour mark courtesy of Read’s 20th goal of the campaign. His initial shot from Stamp’s centre was blocked by Shrimpers skipper Jack Edwards, but the ball dropped kindly for him to turn home at the near post.

Southend reduced the arrears ten minutes later, shortly after Njie had hit the side netting following Jordan Williams’ purposeful run. The striker made no mistake when presented with the chance to collect a through ball and guide his finish under the advancing Behcet, making it 2-1 despite the pressure exerted by Antoine chasing back.

Any hopes the visitors harboured of forcing a penalty shootout were almost certainly dashed by Stamp’s exquisite finish four minutes from the end to restore Harlow’s two-goal advantage. The winger was picked out by Brown’s inch-perfect pass, and he left Chambers with no chance by sweetly stroking the ball into the top right-hand corner of the net.

The Shrimpers continued to fight, and substitutes Williams and Freddie Gard were both denied by desperate diving blocks from defenders before Njie was brought down by old adversary Antoine having entered the penalty area. He converted the penalty himself, but there was no time remaining for Southend to try and find an equaliser, allowing Harlow to celebrate a well-earned 3-2 victory.

Harlow Town: Darren Behcet, John Glowacki (Junior Dadson, 81), Layne Eadie, Leon Antoine, Daniel Brown, Darren Blewitt (Donny Barnard, 46), Robbie Martin, Stanley Muguo (Scott Curley, 64), Alex Read, James Smith, Shane Stamp. Unused Substitutes: Chinedu McKenzie, James May.

Southend United: Luke Chambers, Ryan Auger, Kane Farrell (Jordan Williams, 40), Harry Norman, Daniel Matsuzaka, Jack Edwards, Marlon Agyakwa, Charlie Barlow (Freddie Gard, 57), Seedy Njie, Daniel King, Mitchell Pinnock (Brandon Scott, 78). Unused Substitutes: Ted Smith, Ross Johnson.

Bookings: Harlow: Stamp (61, foul), Dadson (82, delaying the restart of play). Southend: Auger (1, foul), Njie (78, persistently infringing the laws of the game).

Referee: Rick Bloy (Basildon).

Assistant Referees: Daniel Cook (Braintree) and Paul Waller (Wickford).

Attendance: 161.