Defeat at Southend Manor on Saturday ended the Lilywhites 100% start to the season and getting back on track will be a tough task against a side that is notoriously in the mix come the end of the season. It was only red tape that stopped Harlow partaking in the Play Offs least season, having finished 3rd in the league but being denied the right to potentially go up, as a result of the terms of their prior relegation. A total of 91 points put them comfortably into 3rd place and it will have certainly pained the Essex based side to not be considered for promotion. On that basis, there will be even more determination to put that right this season.

Harlow started in irresistible fashion on the opening day of the season, smashing SEVEN goals past a hapless Newbury Forest and firmly planting their flag into the Thurlow Nunn Division One South turf, in front of an impressive crowd of 311.

Sheikh Ishaq Ameen and Jack Zielinski both bagged a brace in a convincing win that saw them leapfrog everybody into top spot after game week 1. In truth, Zielinski could have had more goals, hitting the crossbar twice in quick succession in the second half. Cab Clarke grabbed the opening goal on his Hawks debut and fellow debutante Jordan Burnett grabbed a classy second goal, beating a couple of players and driving a shot across the keeper and into the top corner. Captain James Folkes also got in on the action with a superb header at the back post to grab Harlow's 5th.

You can watch the highlights of that thumping win HERE.

Harlow have plenty of firepower in their ranks so Hoddesdon will need to be on their guard to snuff out the attack. That said, Harlow have not had it all their own way so far this season, as on Saturday they lost 1-0 at home to league newcomers Rayleigh Town.

Ameen and Zielinski were kept quiet for 90 minutes and both received a yellow card from the match official, perhaps showing signs of their frustration at the resolute defence put in front of them. Rayleigh striker Jack Walker stabbed home from close range on 25 minutes and Harlow could not find a response for the following 65 minutes or so. The Harlow match report concluded "It was unfortunate for us that Rayleigh Town, despite not creating much all game, were solid at the back, and totally marked our forwards out of the game, with most of our attempts coming from distance. Rayleigh move joint top after their victory."

You can watch the highlights of that defeat HERE.

However, Harlow will see it as a minor blot on their copybook and will be raring to go, ready to avenge that defeat on Tuesday. Sitting in 10th place currently, they have a game in hand over most sides and win on Tuesday night might be enough for them to break into the play off places.

There was transfer news this week too for manager Danny Chapman, as the club announced the signing of midfielder Harry Carter. Carter previously played for West Essex, Barking, Frenford and Buckhurst Hill and brings creativity to the artificial surface at Elizabeth Way.

You can follow Harlow Town on X by clicking HERE or check out their fantastic website HERE.

Hoddesdon too, need to dust themselves down after a poor showing at the weekend. Hopes were high going into the match, that the momentum that saw us sit in first place in the league earlier in the week could continue. It was not to be however as the team was unable to recover from a start that saw us concede two goals inside the first ten minutes. Ross Barnes and a Louie Rodmell double put the Lilywhites to the sword, and only a Connor Bolton consolation late on in the game gave the travelling fans anything to smile about during the miserable journey home from the Essex coast. That result leaves us 5th in the league, but at this stage of the season, a win could once again rocket us back up the table, and Rayleigh Town proved at the weekend that it's not an impossible task.

Read the full match report from Saturday's defeat HERE.

In team news, Club Captain Jack Gibbs has now finished serving his three game ban, although it remains to be seen whether he will walk straight back into the side, or have to bide his time on the bench. Connor Casey had to come off at half time on Saturday and so his current status is unknown. Keep your eyes on our website and social media channels for team news as we approach kick off on Tuesday evening.

Kick Off is 7:45pm and entry at the Harlow Arena is £8 Adults / £5 Concessions / U18s FREE.

All travelling support welcome.

Enjoy the game.

#COYL