Hawks get pre-season schedule off to a flyer

10:10am Monday 21st July 2008

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FOOTBALL

Harlow Town 2
Southend United XI 0

HARLOW produced an impressive display in their first game of the pre-season build up with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over a youthful Southend XI.

The opening minutes of the game - watched by almost 300 fans at Barrows Farm - saw some impressive attacking play from the hosts, with the United keeper Clarke Masters having to make two great saves in as many minutes.

The best chance fell to debutant Jamie Richards on eight minutes, the frontman powering a header towards goal that Masters did well to keep out.

Southend responded instantly, attacking through former Hawks work experience player Rhys Henry, who used his pace to move into the Harlow area and unleash a shot that powered just wide of goal.

Masters was in action again shortly after, doing well to stop Jamie Richards’ 20-yard effort.

Soon after, James Bunn rifled a first time shot from 14 yards that missed the goal by inches.

Harlow kept up the pressure with some more attacking play, but were caught on the break as Rhys Henry once again leaped on a through ball and tested Hasell, who stood tall to block the winger’s shot.

The deadlock was broken in the 33rd minute by Bunn. Full back Mark Taylor delivered an early cross over the Southend defence and Hawks skipper Bunn was able to strike a left-footed volley past Clarke Masters.

The home side made four changes as the second half kicked off but the first meaningful piece of action did not take place until just past the hour mark.

Man of the Match Taylor fed Ainsley Gasper inside the opposition area, whose right-footed shot swept wide of the far post.

Trialist Chris Groves increased the home side’s lead in the 73rd minute, as the forward hit a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The goal sparked life into the game, with Harlow increasing in confidence as reserve-teamer Anthony Charlton tried an audacious lob over Masters, although the ball drifted wide.

Substitute keeper Michael Dumoulin came out of his area to stop Southend scoring a consolation after another ex-work experience player, James Lindie, found space for a shot in the 79th minute.

And three minutes later Harlow’s Ainsley Gasper threatened the opposite goal with a volley that went wide.

Danny Green had the chance to score a final goal, moments before the final whistle, but the Southend keeper’s outstretched leg blocked the shot.

Harlow: Hasell, Taylor, Baker, Chapman, Tague, Akers, Lalite, Fowler, Richards, Bunn, Gliddon. Subs used: Groves, Gasper, Hollenbach, Kirby, Williams, Green, Charlton, Dumoulin.