Richard Pacquette, starting his first game in over three weeks, put the wheels in motion from a header early on as there was little sign of threats on goal from the visitors until late on.

When North Greenford’s opportunity did arrive, it was Andrew Manitou that pulled one back for his side after directing Toluwaloju James’ strike goal bound.

Payne rounded off a solid performance with his most important contribution of all, not fazed by the game’s mounting pressure by directing in a 25-yard set piece.

The Hares were off to a flyer with just three minutes on the clock, with the returning Richard Pacquette capitalising on a botched clearance by Ekow Coker, directing a low header clear of ‘keeper Sam House in what was by no means a ‘gimme’ opportunity.

As the saying goes, you are most vulnerable when you just score- and Joseph Mills almost punished Harefield in their first possession since conceding, with the midfielder’s driven effort blocked well by centre half Joe Clifton.

The game then picked up dramatically to almost a relentless pace, both final thirds seeing plenty of action.

Calls from assistant manager Michael Molokwu to be ‘brave’ with the ball epitomized the feeling at the time, with quick one-touch passing finding little resistance through the middle of the park.

Top scorer Lenny Farhall found joy on the right flank, with partner Pacquette too drifting out to the corresponding wide area at times, but North Greenford’s best chance came when Jevontae Hylton muscled his way into the area and sent in a bullet cross with nobody threatening to meet it, until Stephen Green blocked a corresponding cross well.

With the Colin Jones’ side seeing more of the ball, Nick Kerley was first in line to sting Reece Mallett’s hands in what was the first real test for the young ‘keeper.

Harefield however showed their danger when retrieving back possession, fast breaks on the right flank coordinated by Austin Schofield, Farhall and Petrit Krasniqi saw the Blues carved open but for a block by Coker.

Coker began to redeem himself for the fumble of a clearance that led to Pacquette’s opener, using his physical presence to show Krasniqi away from the net and then getting low to prevent his effort from troubling House in goal.

The game was the most assured Harefield have looked at the back in weeks, given that there may have been concern having conceded 11 in their last two matches; Schofield calmed the nerves by tracking the pacey Kai Brosnan back into the heart of defence and clearing his lines.

There were shouts for a penalty by a well-attended North Greenford faithful as play continued after Pacquette stayed down.

Ethan Relf’s cross was initially intercepted well by Clifton, but rolled under and struck his arm- a case of ball to hand at worst as the first period drew to a close.

The Berkeley Fields outfit came out with a point to prove upon resumption, in particular Brosnan who had a glimmer in his eye and a skip in his stride after beating two men but was unable to find his man in the six-yard box.

House between the sticks was fulfilling his side of the bargain at the other end; saving a looping header from Steven Green, a close-range pile driver from Paul Underwood and stopping a Pacquette brace with an acrobatic block.

Claims for a penalty on Mills may have had some legs, but was dismissed sharply by referee Alex Francioni.

Payne queued raucous praise from the stands after charging down an attempted clearance and then releasing a pinpoint pass with the outside of his boot for Farhall, whose consequential strike was read by House.

The pressure began increase for Harefield as North Greenford realised there may be something in the game for them yet with twenty minutes to go, but on this occasion Sean Mangan met Hylton well as the striker made in inbound assault towards goal.

Mallett had his own trio of saves to make in what was a fairly commendable night for both goalkeepers, denying Hylton and Charlie Mitchell not once but twice.

Clifton recovered well and denied Mitchell after staying on his feet long enough before intervening, just as the latter began to see space on the left wing.

The proverbial seal gave way though ten minutes from time as Toluwaloju James was given enough room at the edge of the box, letting fly into a cluster of players that fortunately came off one of his own in Manitou, although at this stage, North Greenford would’ve taken a touch of anyone had it gone in.

Lenny Farhall was sin binned in perhaps harsh and unconvincing circumstances after routine player-to-player contact.

At this stage, the match began to come alive just as it had at the beginning; this time Samuel Adebita and Brosnan put in gut-busting runs in attempts to scramble something from the game.

One of the former’s runs earned a corner that was whipped in by Payne, and there were strong claims that the midfielder had his cross fly all the way in, to no avail from the officials.

Harefield and Adebita in particular were not disheartened as a free kick was awarded 25 yards out five minutes into stoppage time.

Payne assumed responsibility, and such was the intent behind his strike that it made its way through House’s grip and into the roof of the net, a firecracker of a finale as a precursor to November 5th.

A deserved three points for United meant that eleven games in, things are looking now back on the up after a mini-injury crisis, while North Greenford sit rather uncomfortably near the drop in 19th going into the lockdown break.

Harefield United Team:
Reece Mallett (GK)
Austin Schofield
Steven Green
Paul Underwood
Joe Clifton
Sean Mangan (C)
Thomas Payne
Petrit Krasiniqi
Lenny Farhall
Richard Pacquette
Elliot Dobbs

Subs:
Gurkan Gokman
Marlon Fourdjour
Duewaan McKennon (Used)
Gary Edwards
Samuel Adebita (Used)

North Greenford United Team:
Sam House (GK, C)
Ethan Relf
Sam Molyneaux
Ashley Harrack
Ekow Coker
Billy Leaonard
Charlie Mitchell
Joseph Mills
Melford Simpson
Nick Kerley
Kai Brosnan

Subs:
Ryan Kirwan
Callum Rogers
Toluwaloju James (Used)
Andrew Manitou (Used)
Jevontae Hylton