Following on from last Wednesday’s 0-3 victory away at AS London, Danny Chapman’s side travelled to Barkingside on Monday night, a game played at yet another pitch surrounded by an athletics track.

With Hackney Wick winning 1-2 at Hoddesdon Town on Saturday, they found themselves five points clear at the top of the Thurlow Nunn Division One South, having played two more games than Harlow. The win meant that the gap was reduced to two points, with Harlow still holding a game in hand.

Hosts Barkingside, who have had a rocky start to their league campaign, looked as though their luck was about to change after beating Cannons Wood 2-1 in their last game, but it wasn’t to be against the Hawks; the side sat 16th after 15 games before last night’s game. The Hawks played them earlier on in the season, beating them 4-0 at the Pardus Wealth Stadium.

The Hawks won an early free kick in their first attack of the game. Tom Jelliman stepped up, taking the shot on and hitting it way over the bar.

Thirsty for an early lead, Jack Zielinski found himself with a chance on the half-volley on the edge of the Barkingside penalty area, his effort was also far from hitting the target.

From the very first minute, Denzel Effah made no mistake in causing danger to Barkingside from every opportunity, with an early corner delivery of his very nearly sneaking in at the near-post, with Barkingside well and truly on the ropes in the opening 5 minutes.

After 10 minutes, it was Barkingside’s turn to hit back as Emmanuel Sergio hit a half-volley straight at James Pellin. His connection could have been a lot cleaner.

Oliver Johnson was tested for the first time as Denzel Effah magnificently picked out Alfie Attrill at the back-post from a corner, but Johnson was quick to react, saving the header, with numerous Harlow supporters claiming it had crossed the line.

Kieron Owusu forced a good save out of James Pellin with Barkingside’s best chance of the game, to that point. The Harlow goalkeeper parried the ball away.

Just moments later, the James Pellin made an absolutely crucial save, as Andrew Williams won a header from a corner to square it across Jayden Tshimanga, who hit an effort from close range. Only a low hand of James Pellin could deny him the opener.

Jono Packer let one fly (quite literally) from distance, seeing his shot fly into another postcode for Barkingside.

Korede Da Silva almost found an opener for Harlow when the ball bounced to him on the edge of the box, and he hit a half-volley effort, which caught Johnson wrong-footed, as it took a deflection, which the referee didn’t see, giving a goal-kick.

Right at the end of the first half, the opening goal arrived and it was Fred Agyemang against his former club! Tom Jelliman delivered a corner towards the back-post, and Agyemang rose the highest amongst the players to head it past Johnson and into the net. The striker was humble and did not celebrate, acting respectfully towards his former club of last season, whom he scored 27 goals for.

Barkingside were not giving up there though, going straight down the other end on the counter attack and if not for a terrific save by Pellin, they very well could have equalised.

In what was a very odd non-league goal, Harlow found their second of the game in quick succession after the first goal. Tom Jelliman grabbed his second assist of the game, with a looping ball over the top. Arley Barker made a run at the back-post and, with Johnson right in front of him, Barker took a touch which slowly rolled past Johnson, who looked to be scared of the ball, and into the back of the net, doubling the advantage in the final action of the first-half.

Harlow continued as they left off in the second half, with Denzel Effah heading on target from an Alfie Attrill cross, a header that Johnson could collect fairly easily.

Tom Jelliman limped off the field early in the second half, with Jack Haley coming on to replace him and, with little action thereafter, Jordan Burnett was introduced replacing Denzel Effah.

Barkingside almost caused danger for Harlow from a corner, whipping it with speed towards the front post. James Pellin could only tip it over the bar.

In the late stages of the game, Harlow had another free kick opportunity and this time Arley Barker decided to shoot, forcing a good save out of Johnson.

Fred Agyemang was then replaced by Toby Church, who made his return after getting game time at Bishops Stortford Swifts.

Into added time, James Pellin spilled what should have been a routine catch, and gave away a penalty at the very end of the game.

Emmanuel Sergio dispatched his penalty, sending James Pellin the wrong way, but his goal would not have high significance as it was simply too late for a comeback, and Harlow emerged victorious 1-2.

We’d like to thank you for your continued support, and thanks to Barkingside for their hospitality last night. We wish them all the best for the rest of their campaign.