Harlow face a daunting task to remain in the Ryman League, affected by a ten point deduction for entering a CVA, but now under new ownership and with an influx of players vastly experienced at this level, hopes of a Great Escape for Marvin Samuel’s side have improved.
Town have only won three matches all season in the league, and one of those came on the opening day as Great Wakering Rovers were beaten 4-2 at Barrows Farm thanks to an Edgerley hat trick, but three successive defeats followed at Heybridge and Potters Bar Town (both 1-0) and at home to Wingate & Finchley. In the FA Cup, a 1-1 home draw was shared with Spartan South Midlands League Kingsbury London Tigers, before a 2-1 away defeat in the replay.
 September was a reasonably productive month as it opened with a 1-1 draw at Waltham Forest, and continued with a 3-3 draw shared at home to Redbridge and another 1-1 draw at East Thurrock United. Edgerley and Robinson were on target in the 2-1 win at Ware, only for the month to end with a 7-0 home reverse to promotion-chasing Concord Rangers. The Trophy brought a first round exit at Southern League side Leighton Town in early October, ahead of a 2-0 home loss to Cheshunt and a 2-2 draw at Maldon Town, whilst the month continued with a 3-0 home loss to Brentwood Town and a 2-1 defeat at Thamesmead Town.
November opened with a 2-1 home reverse to Ilford, before a 2-2 home draw with Leyton, a 4-1 loss at Tilbury and 3-0 defeat at Concord Rangers, after which manager Anthony Anstead resigned. His replacement was former player Marvin Samuel, whose first game was a 4-2 home defeat to Northwood, which was followed by a 2-0 home loss to Waltham Forest. However, his third game would see a long-awaited win, as Romford were seen off 2-0 at Barrows Farm, and the year ended with a 1-1 draw at home to Ware. The adverse weather halted the emerging momentum, though, as only one game was played in January, and this was a 3-0 loss at leaders Lowestoft Town.
February brought a takeover of the club by John Barnett and former manager Tommy Cunningham, who was at the helm between 2003 and 2006, with a whole host of former Harlow players returning to the club. These included goalkeeper James Hasell, defenders Mark Taylor, Danny Chapman and Kevin Warren, midfielders Leo Roget and Shaun Gliddon, and forwards James Bunn and Craig Charles. In addition, Lee Protheroe and Spencer Knighht joined the club.
However, on the pitch, Town suffered six straight losses; 2-1 defeats at Enfield Town and Cheshunt, a 2-0 reverse at Great Wakering Rovers, a 4-0 home loss to Lowestoft Town, a 2-0 beating at Brentwood Town, a 2-1 home defeat to VCD Athletic, and the latest setback, a 3-1 reverse at home to East Thurrock on Tuesday.
By Gerard Butler
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