WHO’S UP FOR THE CUP? FA Trophy and Vase special
HARLOW TOWN withstood heavy pressure in the second half to cause an upset and send beleaguered Dulwich Hamlet out of the FA Trophy.
All three goals came within an action-packed ten minutes in the first half.
The Hawks started brightly, pressing high up the pitch, and went ahead through top-scorer Alex Read on 27 minutes; the striker getting the slightest of touches on Andrea Mayasi’s to direct it into the Dulwich net.
Six minutes later Hamlet’s Reise Allassani restored parity with a long-range effort, finishing off his run from midfield with a low shot that crept inside the post.
The respite was shortlived, and with 36 minutes played Harlow re-took the lead when Hamlet’s Quade Taylor diverted Read’s low cross into his own net.
Harlow had to defend more in the second period, but Dulwich were wasteful in attack as they failed to create clear-cut chances. The best opportunity fell to Nathan Green, whose shimmy inside the box created space before he blasted over.
With 15 minutes left to play the Hawks could have made it more comfortable. Reece Dobson set Alex Read behind the defence, but his cross was inches away from Junior Dadson who couldn’t stretch to turn into an open net.
The visitors threw everything at it in the final minutes, but despite them having most of the possession the Hawks defended stoutly and Dulwich were left frustrated.
Harlow Town boss Danny Chapman credited his side’s defensive performance, saying: “In the second half we knew it would be tough. To a man we dug in and threw our bodies on the line.
“As much as Dulwich had the majority of the second half, David Hughes hasn’t had a save to make.”
Hamlet manager Gavin Rose was disappointed with his side’s inability to turn their pressure into chances.
He said: “As we went on in the second half we just needed to grow into the game but our decision making around the edge of the box – maybe shooting too early or the final pass – wasn’t great today.”