Wednesday night was a night to remember for Harlow Town, as they defeated Hutton to go top of the Thurlow Nunn Division One South for the first time this season.

Despite going down to ten-men, with James Folkes being sent off in the eighteenth minute, the Hawks held their own, defended impeccably, and grabbed a goal to see off Hutton, a side that destroyed Harlow 1-5 on their first ever game against us last season.

It was a quiet start for both sides, with both teams having a couple of corners, but to no effect. The game really kicked off after a strong Tom Jelliman tackle angered the Hutton team, who rushed, and the final result was a James Folkes red card, with Jelliman receiving a yellow.

At this early stage, it looked to be very difficult for Harlow to fight back, and Hutton immediately attempted to capitalise, with Dean Hall heading at Pellin from a corner.

Cav Clarke came very close with a volley that was saved well by Steff Lamacq, pushing it away for a corner.

Hutton did put the ball in the net from a cross, but the goal did not stand as a Hutton player was ruled offside.

Freddie Mattock had a crack from distance for Hutton towards the end of the first half, but James Pellin could claim easily.

Despite being down to 10-men, Harlow kept plugging away and found themselves a chance through Jack Haley to strike at goal, who hit a volley cleanly, but Lamacq pulled off another terrific stop to keep the scores level.

The final chance of the half came for the home side and was their biggest chance of the half. With a ball across the box, the Hutton striker slid towards the ball and placed it just wide, attempting to sneak it in at the near post. It wasn’t long before the referee blew up and the half-time scores were 0-0.

The game spiced up in the second half, with much more action than the first period. George Vile hit a long-distance effort for Hutton well wide of the goal in the opening chance of the second half.

Controversy occurred when Lamacq brought down Jack Zielinski when he was through on goal. With Lamacq being the last man, it’s questionable as to how he survived with just a yellow card, but that was the referee’s verdict.

Trouble almost came for Hutton when Cav Clarke decided to have a crack on the volley, almost chipping Lamacq but hitting the roof of the net with his dipping effort.

Hutton’s best chance of the game came when the ball was played across to Elliot Howson, but he couldn’t beat James Pellin from 6 yards, hitting his effort at the Harlow goalkeeper.

Danny Chapman decided to switch things up with the introduction of Korede Da Silva for Cav Clarke, and it wasn’t long before the opening goal of the game occurred.

Denzel Effah beat his man down the left-hand side with some elite footwork before delivering a pin-point cross into the box. Jack Zielinski, lurking, leapt up and directed the header into the bottom-left corner to give Harlow the most unlikely lead. Scenes erupted in Billericay, with the away supporters racing to the players, to celebrate a goal that would send them top of the league.

The majority of Harlow supporters were praying that Hutton would not find the goal they had so desperately been searching for, Hutton refused to stop trying. Conner Jones hit an effort from distance which forced a good save out of James Pellin.

The Harlow goalkeeper slipped the ball out of his hands, almost gifting two points back to Hutton, but the home side were unable to score from this and Pellin reclaimed it.

Ruben Santos almost scored twice, and on one of the efforts he almost chipped Lamacq, but towards the end of the game, Harlow were able to keep possession, and see off Hutton for all three points.

Overall, the character shown by the team to not give up, but instead fight for the win and claim it was truly incredible, and with a game in hand on 2nd place Hackney Wick, it puts us in a great position for tomorrow’s game at home to Burnham Ramblers.

We thank you all for your continued support and look forward to see you at tomorrow’s game.