Wednesday Nov 09 2005 00:00
Struggling to find their best form Arlesey welcomed Harlow Town at the weekend, always a tough side to play against. In fact the Blues had lost their last two home games against them.
In the first moments a move orchestrated on the left by Charlie Henry, his deep cross to the right found Martyn Williams whose rasping shot shaved the upright with the keeper rooted to the spot.
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And it was hyper active Henry again, this time cutting in from the left with a low shot that keeper Jackson needed two attempts to get hold of.
Arlesey continued to flow forward and give the visitors problems, but they looked vulnerable at the back whenever Harlow went forward.
A well worked move from Harlow saw a close range shot deflected for a corner.
Arleseys next foray forward saw Ozie Fosters half volley tipped over by Jackson following a free kick on the left.
The Harlow goal area turned into a firing range as the Hawks rode their luck, but a series of deflections and blockages prevented the Blues getting through to Jackson.
More good play outside the penalty area gained Arlesey a free kick for handball, but Ozie Fosters free kick and follow up shot were both blocked by the wall.
But, it was business as usual for the Blues in the bad luck depeartment, a quick move from Harlow, a pause by Arlesey for offside and in came Tobi Ositola to delicately chip the stranded Bussey to give the visitors a surprise 31st minute lead.
Charlie Henry again crossed in from the left but Darren Hays header lacked direction and went wide as Arlesey, for so long looking likely to take the lead were now looking to get back into the match.
Harlow were playing a dangerous game at the back with some over zealous challenges, but they were holding onto their lead and didn’t look like giving it up. A loose ball in the Harlow six yard box saw Darren Hay and Jackson go for the ball and play had to stop when Jackson had come off worse.
Jackson, obviously in some difficulty had to be stretchered off and replaced by substitute keeper James May.
Arlesey made no more headway in the remaining minutes, the half finishing with Arlesey looking good but falling behind.
At half time Luke Gregson was replaced by Brett Donnelly.
Arlesey first gained a free kick, then a corner, this led to a Charlie Henry shot from wide of the penalty area that just missed the far post.
A quick break from Harlow saw Nick Bussey come out and win the ball with his feet in a fair tackle, the forward went down and the referee punished Bussey for winning the ball, the referee didnt compound the issue by sending Bussey off, he brandished a yellow instead.
Somewhat fired up now, Arlesey were surging forward and a run and shot from Ozie Foster brought a fine save from substitute keeper May.
On 61 minutes things got worse, a simple corner, met at the front of the six yard area and tapped home from the totally unmarked Sammy Winston.
A sweet cross from Barrington Belgrave was headed on by Brett Donnelly and sent goalbound by Henry, somehow a defender dived across the goal and saved the ball, knocking it wide with some part of his anatomy for a corner.
Arlesey were getting clearly frustrated, however, feeling that they were being hard done by wasnt going to make things better.
A period of Harlow pressure albeit via a series of free kicks prevented Arlesey from getting forward.
The match hit an all time low when a Harlow player bit the dust in a crowded goal mouth and Brett Donnelly was shown a straight red card for his part in the players downfall.
Harlow went forward quickly and neat play almost netted them a third goal, had the shot not been straight at Nick Bussey.
Arlesey were getting nowhere against a Harlow defence that wasnt going to let a two goal lead go and make it three wins in a row at Hitchin Road.
Julian Gapone replaced James Taylor.
For all their early possession Arlesey failed to make a mark up front and are drifting further away from promotion prospects. Some of their problems are of their own making, but they had to bad luck out there today. Harlow mustered two shots and scored two goals.
Man of the Match: Charlie Henry
Crowd 135
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