The top-of-the-league clash between Hackney Wick and Harlow Town was always going to be an exciting one. The well anticipated game at the Pardus Wealth Stadium saw a bumper crowd of 457 in attendance, in what was a game of two halves.

Harlow found themselves with an early chance to snatch a lead after Jack Zielinski’s effort was parried by Klimkiewicz straight into the path of Fred Agyemang. With an open goal, the Harlow striker headed over the bar, missing a key chance.

Hackney Wick wasted no time in punishing the reds, who would go on to rue the missed chance. Just two minutes later, Leo Lopate played a good ball through the entire Hawks defence. James Pellin rushed off his line, diving slightly too early and being beaten to it by John Silva who finished well.

From this point on in the first half, it was all Hackney Wick and had their finishing been sharper, the half-time score could have been much more than it was.

Leo Lopate ran from the half-way line all the way past Syrus Gordon, before cutting in and shooting over, an opportunity that he should have scored.

Minutes later, Teddy Jones poorly gave the ball away to Nixon Siglo in the box, who squared it across to John Silva, whose shot was straight at James Pellin, and Harlow got away with it again, on the ropes.

Issa Sadibi was denied at the back post by James Pellin after he was picked out from a cross.

The home side had a huge chance to equalise after hitting the bar from a corner, after Fabion Simms headed it goalwards.

From a following corner, Fabion Simms headed it goalwards but his header was cleared off the line.

Harlow did indeed find the net through Jack Zielinski, but the goal was not given as Fred Agyemang was deemed to have fouled Asiedu-Binney.

Sadibi missed yet another big chance for Hackney Wick, after being played through on goal but brushing the effort straight at James Pellin.

Leo Lopate, who was a standout all game for the Wickers, continued to cause carnage for the Harlow defence, dancing through players but on this occasion, missing the target.

After a missed attempt from Nixon Siglo, Hackney Wick finally capitalised on a chance through Leo Lopate. The young player had the ball glued to his feet, danced through three Harlow players before unleashing a sensational finish into the top-right corner, right before the break.

Harlow were well and truly on the ropes, and it really should have been curtains. Nixon Siglo sprinted through on goal and one-on-one with James Pellin, smashed the ball into the right-post, rescuing Harlow from a cricket score.

It was clear that Harlow had a big mountain to climb at half-time.

Fred Agyemang was subbed off at half-time, and Harlow re-entered the pitch with intention in the second half, having looked a shadow of their typical ‘selves in the first half.

It was almost the perfect start to the half for Harlow, who hit the bar again, after Hackney Wick struggled to defend against the home corner.

Klimkiewicz was forced into a huge save from a Jack Zielinski header at the back post, but a foul was given for a push in the back.

Harlow had been split open again, with the ball being played out to Issa Sadibi, who hit it wide, missing another chance. Soon after, Hackney Wick’s corner hit the bar after being whipped towards the back post, but bounced over.

Teddy Jones almost caused trouble for Hackney Wick after winning a header from a free-kick, but his effort bounced just wide, having beaten Klimkiewicz.

Hackney Wick once again had a massive chance to end things once and for all, with John Silva being found at the back post. His header was almost perfect, beating James Pellin but being denied by the post, and keeping Harlow in the game again.

Jordan Burnett had his biggest chance of the game, cutting inside onto his left foot 7 yards out, and sky-ing it for Harlow.

Danny Chapman decided changes were needed, and introduced Korede Da Silva for Tom Jelliman, and one minute later, Harlow grabbed a goal back.

The Hawks had a free kick opportunity in a great position on the edge of the ‘d’. Denzel Effah stepped up and curled it into the bottom left corner, beating Klimkiewicz, who didn’t move. There was no time to celebrate, with Effah grabbing the ball, urgently getting on with the game.

Harlow were adamant that they should have been awarded a penalty after Jack Zielinski was pushed to the floor whilst running into the box, but no foul was given.

Arley Barker hit a free kick for Harlow which was heading top-right, but Klimkiewicz anticipated it well, tipping it wide.

Klimkiewicz found himself injured after colliding with Jack Zielinski in a 50/50 challenge. The referee decided he was fit to play on after a lengthy stoppage. Whilst he was being treated, Cav Clarke and Jack Haley were introduced replacing Jordan Burnett and Alfie Attrill, who had returned for 6 games to get himself back to fitness.

Harlow believe they should have had another penalty after Jack Zielinski was punched in the head by Klimkiewicz when they were both challenging for the ball. Jack Zielinski connected with the ball first, with the Hackney Wick keeper’s fists going into Zielinski’s head after.

Time was swiftly running out and Syrus Gordon let one fly in the hope of scoring a wonder-goal and equaliser, but his effort soared slightly over the bar.

After around 15 minutes of added time, the referee blew time on a chaotic, end-to-end game in which Hackney Wick could have scored many more, but Harlow showed resilience to fight back in the second half, and almost found an equaliser on numerous occasions.

Shortly after the final whistle was blown, Hackney Wick player Khaniel Brown was seen gesturing towards the Harlow Town supporters behind the goal, which caused conflict, with Cav Clarke running in and arguing with Brown, leading to both sides running in and conflicting.

The final result of this was red cards being handed to both Brown and Clarke, who will both now miss three games for their respective sides.

We’d like to thank you for your continued support, with our biggest attendance of the season so far coming on Saturday, and we’ll hope to redeem Saturday’s defeat on Wednesday evening, when we travel to North London to face AS London at the New River Sports Centre. We hope to see you there.