Following on from a pre-season in which many questioned whether or not Danny Chapman’s side were ready and prepared for the upcoming season, particularly after such a short break from our League Cup win in early May, Harlow proved any doubters wrong and blew Newbury Forest away 7-0.

Having lost 5-1 in a painful opener last season to Hutton, this felt like a statement of intent from the side, who were sporting our brand new home kit for the first time, and looked to have started as they mean to continue.

The game yesterday was played in honour of two club supporters who we have sadly lost recently: Ken Ingrey, who had been a supporter for many years, playing in our fans match 7 years ago, who recently died aged 82, and George Penney, who tragically lost his life in a recent car accident. We paid our respects with a minute’s applause before the game, and both Ken and George will be hugely missed.

Harlow couldn’t have started the game much better than they did, with Cav Clarke opening scoring in his first league game for the club, tapping home a cross from Jack Zielinski, which Newbury Forest struggled immensely to defend against.

It wasn’t long before the lead was doubled, as the home side continued to exploit Newbury Forest’s defensive weaknesses. This time Jordan Burnett picked the ball up from a clearance, darting past two men before unleashing a finish of absolute quality past Brandon Bullman, straight into the opposite side netting; a goal of the season contender in the opening game.

Almost straight after the 2nd goal, Ishaq Ameen scored the third. It was a corner played in by Tom Jelliman, and after awful defending in the box, Ishaq got a small touch to place it home, making it 3-0 after just 17 minutes.

In the 30th minute, Tom Jelliman delivered another corner fantastically towards Jack Zielinski at the back-post, who got his head on it and made it four, grabbing his first goal of the game.

7 minutes later, Arley Barker delivered a looping ball into the box, following a clearance, which turned out to be an unbelievable ball towards the back post, where James Folkes was lurking. With a quality header, he made it 5-0 to Harlow after 37 minutes.

Ishaq Ameen almost made it 6-0 before half-time with a shot from distance, after being allowed time and space to shoot, but his effort travelled narrowly wide in the end, making it just 5-0 to Harlow at half-time.

It was an incredibly dominant half for the Hawks, who were showing no mercy and had guaranteed to take 3 points from the game, in just 45 minutes.

The second half was certainly quieter in terms of goals than the first, but Harlow continued to dominate proceedings.

Jack Zielinski produced the first opportunity of the half, cutting outwards and seeing his effort saved by Bullman. Soon after, Mayowa took a shot on in space for Newbury Forest but the effort had no real conviction, and caused no trouble for the reds.

Cesario Mendes then took a shot on his left for the away side, but saw his shot glance wide too. Chaka Barnett almost grabbed one back for his team, when he skipped past Arley Barker, and took a fairly weak shot on, which was deflected just wide, nearly catching James Pellin wrong-footed.

Thirsty for more, Jack Zielinski very nearly scored his second overhead kick for the club, striking the bar, but he was deemed to be offside by the linesman in the end. Harlow then did grab their 6th of the game as a corner whipped in by Tom Jelliman was headed on by Teddy Jones and finished by Jack Zielinski for his second of the game. Harlow were well-and-truly running riot.

James Folkes came close to making it 7 after Tom Jelliman delivered a free kick to the front post, but the defender’s touch sent the ball just wide.

Arley Barker sent Korede Da Silva running down the right-hand side with a sensational ball. The skilful midfielder then played it across the goal towards Jack Zielinksi, who brushed it into the crossbar.

Ishaq later picked out Korede Da Silva again and after a magnificent first touch, the midfielder unleashed a great finish past Bullman but was ruled offside, despite it being incredibly tight.

The seventh and final goal for the Hawks did come when Jack Haley unleashed Jack Zielinski with a great through ball. The Harlow striker then squared it across and Ishaq Ameen finished terrifically, grabbing his second of the game, and wrapping it up once and for all.

Korede nearly added insult to injury, in one of the final moments of the game, as he saw his effort saved brilliantly by Bullman, however the game had ended 7-0 to the home side.

Overall, it was an incredibly dominant performance from Harlow Town, and there is no reason why winning the league would be impossible, if we were to perform in this fashion every game.

Our focus now moves to our next game, on Saturday 3rd August at home to Rayleigh Town kicking off at 3pm. We thank you for your continued support.