Ryman Premier

Harlow Town 3 v 0 Wingate and Finchley

HARLOW Town put their midweek defeat against Dulwich behind them as they thumped Wingate and Finchley 3-0 at the Harlow Arena.

It was no more than Harlow deserved as they played a confident and controlled football that overwhelmed Wingate.

The conditions didn’t help as the wind swirled around the arena. But after a few scares, Harlow settled into their stride.

They started to pepper the Wingate defence with Alex Read and Joe Benjamin especially busy. In defence, Alain Moges seemed a lot more vocal. Ibrahima Sonko was back in midfield and early on made his presence felt.

Harlow were getting to the second ball and showed a lot more grit and determination. It was the midfield vice-like grip that slowly strangled Wingate and exposed them as a team that did not seem to have a plan B.

But a snapshot by Rob Laney in the 15th minute showed how dangerous the North London side could be.They were also resolute defenders, getting men behind the ball.

However, Harlow broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. Alain Moges sent over a neat free kick and Jared Small flicked the ball over the keepers head. It looked so simple but intact it was a wonderful piece of skill and credit to a player who is a bit of an unsung hero.

And then it got even better. In the 25th minute. Layne Eadie was released on the left and unleashed a piledriver into the back of the net.

The third goal was a scruffy affair but we did not hear anyone complaining. Alex Read bundled the ball hone from close range in the 34th minute.

Wingate made a couple of changes at half tine as they looked to reply. They were not doing an awful lot wrong but it looked like they had met a determined and very able Harlow.

Harlow should have made it four who both Joe Benjamin and Jard Small had shots blocked by the keeper, Shane Gore, who to be fair, was not having a bad game.

Harlow went down to ten-men when Sonko was judged to have fouled the last man. A tad harsh. Needless to say, the free kick went way over.

The second half drifted away as Harlow controlled every aspect of play. Wingate can have no complaints.

Harlow now travel to Canvey Island on Bank Holiday Monday.

HARLOW TOWN: Hughes D, Pope C, Eadie L, Moges A, Sonko I, Gordon S, Small Justin-Yiga L (Perkins L 65), Read A (Wixon P 75), Noto M, Benjamin J (Antoine L 85)

Subs not used: Bishop K, Thompson E

WINGATE & FINCHLEY: Gore S, Ifil L,Sellers R, Mbamarah J, Cronin S, Sharpe J (Ogleby R 45), Wales S (Hastings R 65), Bartram A, Beckles-Richards R (Rifat A 45), Tejan-Sie T, Laney R

Subs not used: Healey W, Williams O,

Ref: C Francis