Stotfold 0

Harlow Town 2

(AXA FA Cup preliminary round)

CARDIFF'S Millennium Stadium may be a far-off and impossible dream but Harlow Town made a step forward in the FA Cup on Saturday with a 2-0 win in the preliminary round.

Their first opponents in the world's most prestigious domestic cup competition were United Counties League outfit Stotfold, formerly managed by Hawks boss Ian Allinson.

The match saw a return to action for club captain David Gray, whose recovery from an ankle injury allowed him to take Tony McNally's place in defence.

Harlow created their first chance on 10 minutes when a John Coley shot to the near post was well saved by Stotfold keeper Nic Foulkes.

On 24 minutes Marc Salmon blasted the ball over the bar from close range.

Foulkes was called into action early in the second half, when he made a good save from a Jon Tivey shot.

Despite his earlier heroics, it was Foulkes who was at fault for the first goal when he conceded a penalty by bringing down Coley. Marvin Samuel blasted home to give Harlow the lead.

Seven minutes later the Hawks won another penalty when Danny Cowley was brought down and Samuel again blasted in the spot kick.

Stotfold missed a penalty of their own to leave the final score at 2-0.

Harlow face Witham Town in the next round on September 15. This Saturday they entertain Whyteleafe in a league fixture at the Sportcentre and next Wednesday they host Windsor and Eton.

HARLOW: Hasell, Samuel (sub: Young 89), Cook, Gray, Moore, Tivey, Cowley, Pompkins, Coley (sub: Nicholson 77), Abbott (sub: Hooker 64), Salmon.