HORNCHURCH 3 HARLOW 0
The league cup is not a big attraction and there was a low turnout for this match. Urchins kicked towards the windmill end and took the lead when the ball was played in low from the left, keeper Ashley Harris could not hold Jo Flack’s flick on, and DUANE JACKSON followed up to score from close range, after one minute and 34 seconds. It was one way for most of the first half, and when Mark Janney touched back to Billy Coyne, the ball was promptly played forward to Jo Flack whose dipping cross was well held by Harris.
A Coyne throw found Jonathan Hunt and his shot was directed too high and over the bar, and in a rare Harlow attack Emmanuel Osei hit his shot just wide of the post. Paul Shave headed over from Hunt’s corner, and it was Shave again, this time at the other end of the pitch, who tackled Jason Grima to concede a corner. Jason Mason took the kick and the ball fell to Osei, whose shot was too high and over the bar. Paul Shave then headed over from Jackman’s centre and Harris did well to hold on to a hard drive by Billy Coyne.
Hunt to Flack, whose run was halted by a timely tackle by Elliot Green, and from Hunt’s corner, Jo Flack saw his first time shot saved at full length by Ashley Harris, when most of the crowd thought it was a certain goal. The ball was promptly returned to Hunt whose shot hit a defender on the line and Andy Tomlinson gained possession to return the ball into the goalmouth where Paul Shave hit his shot inches wide. Mark Goodfellow then played a ball deep into the Harlow half and Jo Flack was tripped on the edge of the area, and Hint’s free kick crashed into the wall of defenders. Shave to Hunt who made ground and sidefooted the ball to Mark Janney, Mark tried a shot from 30 yards out and keeper Harris did well to hold on to the ball right under the bar.
Janney needed lengthy attention when from Richard Harper, when he seemed to fall awkwardly, but was eventually able to continue, and Janney then fired over from Hunt’s corner, and despite the pressure Hornchurch were only one goal in front at the interval.
Second half and Harlow almost levelled when Osei made a good run through the middle, and Darren Behcet made an excellent save to turn the shot around the post. Mason’s corner found Jason Walker, whose first time volley skimmed the bar. Michael Spencer went close when he moved down the left wing and his shot almost dipped under the bar, with Harris again making a good save, and a Hunt corner dropped invitingly in front of Ronnie Fletcher whose shot was deflected around the post. Hunt took the corner and Adegbite cleared. A Hunt cross was deflected out by Elliot Green, and the corner was cleared by Damien Green, whilst a Hunt free kick found Fletcher whose shot was well saved by Harris. Harlow nearly equalised when they broke away and Osei had his shot blocked by Mitchell Stuart-Evans on the line, with the rebound reached Jason Walker, whose shot was deflected around the post by Fletcher, and Behcet caught the corner from Mason.
Harris made an excellent save when he tipped a Michael Spencer shot from the left over the bar, and Harris then caught Hunt’s inswinging corner. Ben Boyce opened up the defence with a good pass to Mark Janney, whose shot went just wide of the post, and Janney then made a penetrating run through the middle, with Harris once again saving well. Ben Boyce was played clear through the middle and Harris saved well, blocking the goal bound shot, but a hand ball inside the area led to a penalty and JONATHAN HUNT neatly slotted the ball home.
Ben Boyce played Jo Flack through the middle and Harris came out to make another excellent save, but the keeper was finally beaten by a well directed shot from JONATHAN SPENCER, who scored on his home playing debut.
And what has happened to the famous Harlow siren? It remained silent throughout the match. |
