Ryman Div One North

Harlow Town 4 v 0 Waltham Forest

By Mark Sweeney

HARLOW Town stretched their unbeaten run to 7 games, putting four past bottom of the league Waltham Forest.

Full back Robbie Martin opened the scoring in the third minute, through a free kick from the left. Meant as a cross, the ball sailed past everyone in to the top corner.

Despite coming close through top scorer, Alex Read, who’s shot was well saved, and striking partner Leon Antoine’s near miss header, the first half ended 1-0, with Waltham ending the half on top.

Antoine was replaced by Junior Dadson at the later stage of the half due to a hamstring strain.

As the rain began to cease, Harlow Town started the second half as they had the first, with an early goal, as James Smith beat the defender with his first touch and slotted home the Hawks’ second in the 49th minute.

A booking for stand-in-captain, Daniel Brown, after his fair tackle resulted in a coming together between both teams, was the only downside to Harlow’s day, as they continued to apply pressure through quick wingers Smith and Shane Stamp.

Stamp had a stand out game, winning a penalty as he beat his man yet again, which was coolly dispatched by Brown on the 68th minute. Stamp then got a goal of his own, and Harlow’s fourth, a minute later to wrap up the victory.

After the game, Harlow Town manager, Danny Chapman, 29, was full of praise for Stamp, explaining, “Shane went through a rough patch, but he’s worked his socks off to be at the level he knows he can be at. The first 25 minutes, he was unplayable. His work rate was excellent, and I’m really pleased for him, but of course, I’m more pleased for us.”

Chapman further explained how he is still confident his team can win the league, and the impact of the new sponsors, “Play-offs is the minimum we’re looking at. You’ve always got to set your goals as high as you can, and ours is winning the league.

“VCD Athletic [league leaders] will lose a game, and it’s about how they respond. We’ve just got to keep winning, that’s all we can do.

“OPTFX is a massive company, and it just goes to show what we’ve achieved since the end of last season. Hopefully it is a long term deal and the company can be a part of our coming success.”

Harlow Town:
Behcet, Martin, Eadie, McLeod-Urquhart, Brown (Greene), Blewitt (C) (Curley), Smith, Glowacki, Read, Antoine (Dadson), Stamp.

Unused Subs: Hart, May.

Waltham Forest:

Myers, Mustafa, Bella, Twumasi, Ikumelo, Koffi, McKenzie, Scott, Fisher, Menga (C), Oyewale.

Unused Subs: Kartal, Crowley, Atful, Nalo.

Bookings: McLeod (Harlow Town), Brown (Harlow Town).

Attendance: 159