Last week, after failing to beat AS London in their previous game, nothing but three points would be acceptable for Danny Chapman’s side, who aim to win the Thurlow Nunn Division One South, with Hackney Wick looming behind.

The Hawks secured victory for the first time in their last 3 games after a solid performance at home against Coggeshall Town, a side competing for the playoffs.

Ishaq Ameen ensured the Hawks found the net early after a well-worked move. Dual-reg signing and familiar face around the club Jared Small slid him in, and a simple but effective finish beat Josh Blackburn.

After last week’s superb free kick goal from Denzel Effah, the full-back found himself with a similar opportunity. Effah once again took it on, but this time went for the top-right corner, rather than left. His shot went onto the roof of the net.

Jared Small came dangerously close to doubling the Harlow lead after Gavin Cockman found him at the back-post. From a mere few yards out, Small struck the woodwork and James Love’s follow-up was cleared away.

In quick succession, Harlow hit the woodwork again after James Folkes headed from an Arley Barker corner. It wouldn’t have counted though, as the referee blew for a foul.

After missed chances from Gavin Cockman and Denzel Effah, the Hawks found their second and final goal of the game towards the end of the first half, after Jared Small showed great skill before delivering towards the back-post, where Denzel Effah headed it across goal. Josh Blackburn struggled to get a clean connection on it and James Love was there to pick up the pieces and tap home his first goal in red.

Blackburn redeemed himself somewhat with a strong hand to deny Jared Small just minutes later, and Harlow continued to pile on the pressure.

Lewis Wallman received Coggeshall’s first real chance of the half when he was found with a ball over the top. However, the striker was unable to get an effort of menace away and James Pellin could clinch onto it.

Dan Gage came frustratingly close to finding the net for Coggeshall after Todd Hollocks played him through to his right. Gage chose to hit it first-time, and it skimmed the top of the crossbar.

With the Hawks 2-0 up at the break, they looked comfortable heading into the second period.

Gavin Cockman had a headed opportunity at the beginning of the second half but it skimmed the top of his head and drifted over the bar.

Denzel Effah was dismissed at the beginning of the second-half after an altercation with Coggeshall Town’s Travis Richards. Denzel has received a 3 match ban as a result.

Terrell Egbri decided to have a shot from distance which was always flying over the bar after James Folkes’ cheeky skill picked him out.

James Pellin was forced into action properly for the first time of the game after Hollocks unleashed a powerful effort towards the bottom-right corner. Pellin got a strong hand to ensure it went wide.

James Love had an opportunity right near the end to grab his second and put the nail in the Coggeshall coffin, after Terrell Egbri played the ball through, but he failed to connect with it.

Into added time, Lewis Wallman was sent off for Coggeshall Town, and so both sides had been reduced to 10 men.

The Hawks earned a deserved victory after showing strong character to carry on going despite going down to 10 men with 33 minutes still to go. In the end, they came out of the game with a clean sheet, which is a credit to their fantastic hard work.