This game was simply huge. Both sides fighting for the title, tied on points before the game in the business end of the season. Some previous drama between the teams, and a win back in October for Hackney Wick, the Hawks, ready for revenge. This one did not disappoint.

369 people attended the game at the Simarco Stadium, Witham. It was likely the biggest crowd in Hackney Wick’s history, with hundreds of Harlow supporters attending, alongside groundhoppers, Witham Town fans and Hackney Wick’s ever-loyal supporters – who remained loud throughout even after conceding the goals that would lose them the game.

In a game that mimicked a cup-final atmosphere for Harlow, in which a draw wouldn’t have been tragic, but a win would have been sensational, Harlow Town went through all the emotions, showing immense character to pick themselves up from 1-0 down, and play Hackney Wick out the park in the second half.

It was the Hawks that started the game on the front foot, and Fred Agyemang found himself with an early opportunity to shoot, but it was a fairly tame effort that Klimkiewicz could collect.

Agyemang found himself with another chance after Gavin Cockman flicked it onto him. From outside of the box, Agyemang volleyed it out of the stadium, as Harlow continued to put pressure on the Wickers.

After another missed opportunity from Fred Agyemang, Hackney Wick flipped the momentum as Jhon Silva crossed it into Issa Sidibe, who took a shot on with little power. His effort took a deflection and completely caught James Pellin off guard, who made a meal of what should have been a simple save, letting the ball bounce past him and giving the black and golds a first-half advantage.

The action was back-and-forth for the remainder of the first-half, with Harlow Town creating the biggest chance after Fred Agyemang went through Klimkiewicz and had an open goal, but couldn’t find the net.

The second half was a totally different with story, and despite a few half-chances for Hackney Wick, Harlow Town dominated it.

Fred Agyemang, a player who went on to be a hero within this game, managed to get contact on the ball goalwards, and a yellow player could do nothing but kick it into his own net. There is a debate to be had as to whether or not it was Agyemang’s goal or not, but one thing was for certain, Harlow had levelled the game early on in the second half.

For the remainder of the second half, there was a lack of clear cut opportunities for both sides, with Hackney Wick hardly troubling James Pellin, but Harlow also not necessarily forcing saves out of Klimkiewicz.

This all changed in the 91st minute, when James Folkes ran out from the back, before playing a great ball down the left-hand side to Terrell Egbri, who had switched sides with Denzel Effah. Terrell delivered an excellent first time cross into the box and Denzel Effah threw himself at it with all his might, connecting excellently and beating Klimkiewicz. Harlow had done it. It was incredible, the Simarco erupted with the Harlow Town fans going crazy.

Everyone from the bench sprinted over to the corner flag where the Harlow players hugged the supporters. So late on in the game, it would have been difficult for Hackney Wick to come back and even grab a point.

However, Harlow were not quite finished yet. Fred Agyemang found himself on the scoresheet yet again after a ball was played over the top and he lobbed Bartosz Klimkiewicz, making it 1-3 to Harlow after 95 minutes. Once again, the crowd went wild, as Harlow Town went three points clear at the top of the Thurlow Nunn Division One South.

The referee called time on what had been an immense game of football between two battling sides, but Harlow Town’s energy, discipline and experience prevailed against a young and raw Hackney Wick side, who did themselves proud too in what was a tough game for them.

We thank you for your continued awesome support, and hope to see you in our next game, away at May & Baker on Wednesday 12th March, kicking off at 7.45pm.