15 months after our previous outing with Hoddesdon Town at Lowfield, in which we won 0-3 thanks to goals from Gavin Cockman, James Folkes and Raheem Gray, the Hawks travelled there once again but couldn’t find all three points today, and for the second time this season, had to settle for a single point.

It was a positive start for the Hawks, and their slick football resulted in a few half-chances, the first of which being a Gavin Cockman shot from the edge of the area, that bobbled awkwardly for Liam Nugent, who couldn’t catch it at first, parrying it away.

Bailey Collins saw an attempt of his own for Hoddesdon Town saved comfortably by James Pellin, as the two sides traded blows in the opening minutes.

The first real opportunity of the game came in the form of a Harlow free-kick, just outside the box. Denzel Effah stepped up, and whipped it up and over the wall, but slightly missed the target.

By far one of the better performers today, Terrell Egbri looked to open scoring after being found excellently by Gavin Cockman. Cutting across it, the ball swerved towards Nugent with enough power to force him to parry it away. The Hawks had begun knocking on the door of Hoddesdon.

In a similar vein to Cockman’s earlier attempt, Syrus Gordon decided to have a crack from distance which once again bobbled in front of Nugent, and he once again parried it wide.

Hoddesdon Town finished the first half with slight momentum, after winning three corners in a row and putting pressure on the Harlow defence.

The Hoddesdon pressure continued into the second half, with the reds coming out slow and lethargic, struggling to put passes together and instead looking to clear the ball at most opportunities. This would end up showing, as Hoddesdon created a great chance with a cross into George Hammill, and he made no mistake of firing a header home to open the scoring at Lowfield.

James Folkes was forced to leave the field injured, being replaced by Jesse Ansen. and this put more pressure on Harlow to try and come back into the game in the absence of their captain. By this stage, Denzel Effah, who looked as though he may have picked up a knock, begun to move slightly slower than previously and it wasn’t long before he was replaced too, by Arley Barker.

Despite the setbacks, Harlow did show character and keep their heads up, with Terrell Egbri most likely to make an impact. The winger made himself a chance, cutting onto his left and striking excellently which was denied by a magnificent Liam Nugent save.

Soon after, Terrell Egbri dribbled half the length of the pitch, slipping the ball into the path of Agyemang, but the striker’s effort flew over the bar.

With ten minutes left in the game, Harlow were awarded a free-kick in dangerous territory. This time it was Terrell Egbri who stood over it, and struck a thunderbolt past Nugent, who could barely see it before it made the net ripple. With the momentum, it was now in the away side’s hands to turn the game around.

Harlow’s supporters were furious when a foul was not awarded due to Terrell Egbri being pushed down, and Hoddesdon pushed on, on the counter attack, with Connor Bolton playing in Callum Bennison in a great move. James Pellin made a superb save at his near-post to cling onto the point.

After Hoddesdon Town headed over from a late corner, the referee called time on what in contrast to the reverse fixture, was an action-packed game.

There was only one real feeling amongst the Harlow supporters following this afternoon’s game, frustration.

Ultimately, the Hawks were punished early in the second half for what was a dismal start to it, and they gradually recovered towards the end of the game, inspired by Terrell Egbri, but in the end, they ran out of time.

The substitution of Gavin Cockman for Ishaq Ameen changed the game in that Ishaq brought a newfound energy in the front line. Gavin’s performance had been good, and he had battled commendably throughout the game, but Ishaq offered something different.

All things considered, it has to be viewed as a point gained against a Hoddesdon Town side that were up for it, in front of a bumper crowd at Lowfield.

We thank you for your amazing support, and we look forward to seeing you again at our next game on 1st February, in which we host Southend Manor.