Having truly made a statement by beating Newbury Forest 7-0 a week prior, it was expected that a game against newly-promoted side Rayleigh Town was going to be a game in which the Hawks were comfortable, and put in another great performance. However, in reality, this was far from the case.

2023/24 winners of the Essex Olympain League, Rayleigh Town came to The Harlow Arena with four points from a possible six, having had a red card in each of their opening games. Therefore, it became clear that they were not a team to look down upon.

The game started well for Harlow, with Ishaq Ameen registering a shot on target (from distance) in the opening minutes. Rayleigh Town were fast to fire back though, with a fairly easy shot to save from Matt Tadley.

The first clear-cut chance of the game came when Ollie Miller found Jack Walker with a low cross into the box. The Rayleigh striker got enough contact to force it past James Pellin at his near-post, giving Rayleigh a lead after 25 minutes.

Syrus Gordon soon found himself in the book after a foul on Achempong, which highly frustrated the Rayleigh team.

The next chance of the game came for the Hawks via Cav Clarke, who struck one from distance but, with little sting, it was never going to trouble Josh Hudson. Swiftly after, Rayleigh Town went back to their goalkeeper and his kick out was incredibly poor, being immediately intercepted by Ishaq Ameen. From 25 yards, Ishaq was quick to take the shot on, and it drifted just slightly wide of the left post.

From near his own penalty box, Jordan Burnett picked up the ball for Harlow Town, running almost the entire length of the pitch before squaring it to Cav Clarke who, on the turn, attempted to finish past Hudson but instead hit it straight at him, giving the goalkeeper catching practice. Cav had yet another chance after Arley Barker played him in down the line, but he couldn’t hit the target, sliding at the near-post.

From a corner, Tom Jelliman soon whipped a ball into the middle which was met by James Folkes, who couldn’t direct his header goalwards. The final chance of the half was another Harlow one and came from Teddy Jones, who struck an effort on his left foot way wide from 25 yards.

The first half was one in which Harlow had almost all of the ball, but were completely and utterly unclinical, and Rayleigh’s one major chance had made the difference for them at the break.

Harlow kept pushing for an equaliser into the second half, and almost created a chance to grab it, with Ishaq Ameen and Cav Clarke both seeing their efforts blocked in the box, after a Jordan Burnett low cross. From the following corner, James Folkes managed to direct his header on target, but it was well anticipated by the Rayleigh defender, who headed the effort off the line and clear.

After this, Rayleigh grew more into the game and Ollie Miller found himself with a chance to shoot, and his effort flew well wide. Jack Walker then had an even better opportunity, which he struck well but James Pellin clung onto it at his near-post. Poor Harlow defending led to a huge chance for Ollie Miller, but he hit it straight at James Pellin, as Harlow got away with one.

More half-chances for the Hawks came through Ishaq Ameen and Korede Da Silva, but neither were able to hit the target. This was followed by calls for a handball after Teddy Jones’ cross was blocked by what looked to be a Rayleigh arm. However, the referee was unwilling to point to the spot.

The final chances of the game came from Jimmy Nottage, who’s effort looked neither a cross nor shot, and James Folkes, who headed wide from a set piece, and Rayleigh Town emerged winners 0-1.

Overall, it was a tough one to take for Harlow Town, who now sit on 3 points after two games, the same number they had last season after playing two sides who would later make the playoffs in Hutton and Dunmow Town, and at that stage a new squad was still being assembled.

It was unfortunate for us that Rayleigh Town, despite not creating much all game, were solid at the back, and totally marked our forwards out of the game, with most of our attempts coming from distance. Rayleigh move joint top after their victory.

We’d like to thank you once again for your continued support, with another great attendance today of 359. Our focus now turns to Tuesday night’s game, at home to Hoddesdon Town.