ST Anthony’s (1-12) slipped to defeat in their London League Division Three clash with Harlesden Harps (3-11) on Saturday.

On a blisteringly hot afternoon, St Anthony’s had more of the play throughout the game, but they could not make their dominance in possession count on the scoreboard.

The Reading side started well with Mark Kirwan getting the first point of the game from long range and after Harlesden replied immediately, St Anthony’s established a two-point lead within the first 10 minutes.

However, this was to be the last time they would lead in the game as the Harps scored a breakaway goal to establish a lead they were to hold onto for the rest of the game.

With a point separating the teams going into injury time in the first half St Anthony’s (pictured above) squandered a brilliant chance to score a goal, and from the resulting goalmouth scramble in the Harlesden square the Harps broke the full length of the pitch with speed and purpose and fired in a goal with the last kick of the first half to leave four points in it.

The second half of the game saw St Anthony’s apply tremendous pressure on the Harlesden defence with Jonathan Lynne-Roberts, Phil McCabe, Matthew Knocker, Kirwan, Kelvin Kelly and Ross Barnett all registering scores, however the wide and missed opportunities count was equally high.

When Lynne-Roberts burst through the Harlesden defence and rifled a shot into the top corner of the net to leave two points in it with time running out it looked like St Anthony’s could possibly stage yet another comeback, however as they pressed for the winning goal Harlesden again caught them on the counter-attack and slotted in a goal with the last kick of the game to put added gloss on the win.

Despite defeat, goalkeeper Jono Sullivan and defenders Enda McBrien and Micheal Laffey also impressed alongside the goalscorers for the beaten side.