Kingsbury Town 1

Harlow 5

As expected, bottom-of-the-table Kingsbury Town found promotion challengers Harlow just too much at Silver Jubilee Park on Saturday, but despite the scoreline there were encouraging signs for new manager John Clements.

Newly-signed goalkeeper Dave Hudson from Chesham made an impressive debut, another newcomer Darren Howells from Northwood did well in his short period as substitute, strikers Ron Lett and Nelto Cornwall continued to improve, and several other players began to show their potential.

But against a side as powerful as Harlow, managed by the highly successful ex-Enfield manager Eddie McClusky and coached by ex-Barnet man big Dave Howells, Town had no chance to settle.

Harlow's finishing was deadly as Nicky Ironton showed in the 20th minute when he was left unmarked from a cross and sent a right-footer inside the far post to open the scoring.

Despite the early setback, Town continued to battle and were unlucky not to equalise in the 39th minute when Lett beat two defenders and sent a right foot shot just over.

The Essex side went two ahead in the 41st minute following a speculative lob into the Kingsbury penalty area by defender Lee Claridge which gusted the ball into the penalty area and behind the Harrow defence.

Harlow's was first to react, Salmon nipping in to smash a spectacular first-time volley past Hudson.

The third goal came five minutes into the second-half when Harlow's Marvin Samuels scored at the near post after slack Kingsbury marking.

Goal-starved Town pulled one back in the the 56th minute, but ironically still didn't get one of their own players on the scorechart.

The hardworking Lett, who had been constantly pressurising the Harlow defence, forced Claridge to put through his own goal.

At 3-1 Town did not look out of place against the title hopefuls, but in the 65th minute Harlow's Tony Kelly was left totally unmarked, and with the Kingsbury defence pulled out of position he nodded home an unchallenged cross, giving Hudson no chance.

The result was beyond redemption, but the tireless Lett continued to battle and in the 69th minute was on hand again blasting in a piledriver which forced Harlow keeper Coomber to make a tremendous one-handed save.

Harlow completed their nap hand in the 72nd minute when the speedy Samuels outpaced Tyrone Jones and scored.

Manager John Clements is having a baptism of fire, but is blooding new signings all the time in an attempt to turn round Kingsbury's fortunes.

He will do well if he can save the club collecting the wooden spoon, but without any relegation in the division this season is looking to build for next term.

Town travel to Epsom and Ewell, placed just below midway in the league, on Saturday.

KINGSBURY: Hudson, Page, Hamilton, Aigbogun, Power, Cornwall, Ryan, Rowe, Lett, Jones and Dolling. Subs: Howell, Octave, White.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.