In a similar fashion to last year’s game, a 1-1 draw with Cannons Wood, there was little to separate the two sides, which was reflected by the scoreline.

Throughout the game, it was clear that Harlow were the more active side, and created more chances, although it took 23 minutes for the first shot to be taken in the match, an effort into the skies from Terrell Egbri.

Continuing in their stride, Harlow created another chance after Denzel Effah whipped in a good cross, which was met by Jack Zielinski, whose first-time effort was good, but was saved by the feet of Levchuk.

There were calls from Harlow players and supporters for action to be taken after Korede Da Silva ran through on goal and was wiped out by Levchuk, but Da Silva was deemed to be offside and so Levchuk got away ‘scott free’.

Unmarked, the NW London number 10 decided to have a crack from distance, and his whipping effort almost caused danger, but James Pellin’s hands were safe.

After NW London missed from distance, Terrell Egbri almost scored for Harlow with a left-footed effort on the edge of the box. His shot bounced slightly wide of the target.

Harlow really should have taken the lead after Terrell Egbri fired the ball across the box, into the path of Fred Agyemang, but the ball simply hit the striker and bounced into the hands of a fortunate Levchuk.

NW missed one of their biggest chances of the half after their number 10’s back-post header flew wide.

Harlow’s lack of cutting edge had started majorly costing them, as a James Folkes in-swinging cross fell perfectly for Agyemang, but his touch was too heavy, leading him into a tight angle where he could do nothing but hit the post.

The final action of the first-half came when Harlow were awarded an indirect free-kick from 20 yards; Arley Barker rolled it into Terrell Egbri, whose strike was well saved by Levchuk, parried out for a corner, but the referee decided to call time on the half, not allowing Harlow to take their corner.

At the start of the second half, Harlow played a ball over the top, that was headed on by Agyemang, but hand-balled back to Levchuk by the NW London 6, however the referee didn’t see it, so nothing was given.

Within five minutes of each other, both crossbars were hit; the first of which being by NW London, whose number 10 hit a left-footed, curling effort into the bar. The second of which came from a Harlow corner, in which Fabion Simms headed it towards the crossbar, but neither side could break the deadlock.

NW London came so close to gaining the lead after playing the ball across the box and their number 10 getting a good shot away, but James Pellin was down quickly to save Harlow and cling onto his clean sheet.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure, very nearly slipping ahead with a header at the front-post narrowly traversing over the bar from a corner.

Jack Zielinski really had to score after running through on goal, going down and hitting it wide of an open goal, after rising back up fast.

Gavin Cockman, fresh off the bench and looking to make an impact, was sent through on goal, but Levchuk was quick off his line to prevent the striker.

Harlow once again came agonisingly close to scoring, with James Folkes’ curling header flying inches wide from an Egbri delivery.

Things got scrappy in the NW London penalty area after a Harlow corner, with nobody being able to clear the ball. Eventually, Jordan Burnett got a semi-clean shot away but a good block was made to deny him.

Time was certainly ticking for Harlow, who were desperately fighting for a win in the late stages, and it almost came through substitute Jack Haley, who scored four goals in a friendly last week, but on this occasion he failed to hit the target, curling his shot wide of the left-post.

Ultimately, no matter how many times Harlow tried, it was not coming off, and both sides had to settle for a 0-0 draw.

Overall, it’s clear that there was a slight feeling of rust, and disjointedness within the team today, and we never really got going, rueing missed chances, many of which were not clear cut, which was causal in our inability to claim all three-points. All of this is in spite of the fact that the team showed immense passion and did push for a winner, particularly in the last ten minutes of the game, when they were most active.

After having won 10 games in a row, it’s the first points dropped for Danny Chapman’s side since 19th October when we were defeated 1-2 by Hackney Wick. This itself is a feat to be recognised, and the reds have an opportunity to bounce back and grab all three points on Saturday afternoon, as we travel to Basildon Town.

We thank you for your continued support, and hope your Christmas has been a great one. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday.