Harlow Town Football Club

of Platinum Sports Management’s takeover of the club, but there wasn’t much to cheer about from a defensive point of view as Harlow Town conceded some sloppy goals.
Harlow were forced to start Donny Barnard in central defence as cover for the banned Ryan Kirby, while midfielder Dave Cowley made a start after rejoining the club from Grays.
Harlow went 1-0 up on seven minutes. Mark Taylor's free-kick on the right hit the Cheshunt wall but it came straight back to him and he hammered it into the top corner.
But it was 1-1 on 11 minutes.
Josh Hutchinson headed in unmarked after a right-wing cross from Sam Byles. This was 60 seconds after Cowley hit the bar at other end.
French keeper Bert Bossu made a wonder save to deny Hutchinson a second moment later as the plucky visitors took the game to Harlow.
On 25 minutes, Luke Marshall somehow blasted wide from point-blank range. Incredibly his shot went off for a throw!
Harlow went 2-1 ahead on 28 minutes.
A lovely Tom Bruno cross from the right into the six-yard box was met by Cowley who headed in off the right post.
Harlow made it 3-1 on 37 minutes.
Jeff Hammond, returning from a two-game ban, was brought down by Cheshunt keeper Sam Tanner in the box after a neat through ball from Hawks left-back Danny Brown.
Tanner was only yellow carded as a defender was covering back.
Brown smashed his 11th goal of the season into the bottom right corner.
A minute into second half and Hammond got a fourth, slotting low from six yards.
It should have been game over then but some sloppy Harlow defending let Cheshunt back into the game.
Marshall headed off the Harlow line from Gary Bowes’ six-yard shot after an initial save from Bossu on 50 minutes.
Harlow did not heed the warning signs and the Ambers made it 4-2 when the impressive Kevin Ashwood beat Jack Haverson far too easily on 65 minutes and then struck a powerful shot into the bottom left corner.
Cheshunt were furious at the ref moments later when he turned down a penalty appeal when Joe Bricknell was upended in the box.
Bossu tipped an Ashwood free-kick onto bar and away for a corner as the visitors continued to dominate.
Harlow put the game to bed when they made it 5-2 on 77 minutes.
Harlow sub Michael Deane cut into the box and his centre from the left byline was flicked into his own net by Ambers left-back Dan Roles.
Cheshunt were allowed a third goal on 84 minutes when sub Chris Sargent hammered in a shot from 9 yards which hit the bar and bounced in after more shocking Hawks defending.