Late equaliser hurts Harlow!

Harlow were looking to carry on their unbeaten start to the season to 9 games as they hosted a very strong Thurrock side that looked to cause an upset.

It was a lively start to a first half that didn't see many chances testing either keeper but it was Thurrock's captain Lewis Spence who nearly opened the scoring inside two minutes. A corner was floated in from the left and Lewis Spence climbed highest but only saw his header cleared off the line by Layne Eadie.

However Harlow replied with one of their many flowing football attacks. Good build up play through Ben Glasgow and Shane Stamp resulted in James Smith beating his man with ease and firing a shot at goal but was well denied by keeper Andy Walker.

It was an Even start to the game with possession and momentum changing frequently, but it was Harlow who were creating the better chances. Harlow retained the ball from a half cleared corner and Alex Read twisted and turned his man to give Shane Stamp the ball but his effort hit the top of the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

Thurrock had half chances through the likes of Ross Wall, Charlie Stimson and Spence but were unable to test Dean Driscoll in the Harlow Goal.

But it was Harlow who were finishing the half the stronger team and had two opportunities to break the deadlock. Shane Stamp was involved with both opportunities and it was him who created the first chance. Great skill to beat his man was matched by the delivery into Robbie Martin but his effort spinned over of his knee. The second opportunity was through a good attacking break away but Shane Stamps effort was again denied by Walker.

Harlow came out in the second half fired up and their passion was rewarded with a goal on the 50th minute through captain James Smith. A great turn of acceleration from Stamp got him away from two Thurrock players and squared the ball to Smith who cut in on his left and smashed home from about 20 yards leaving the keeper with no chance.

Harlow were looking to extend their lead and nearly done so. Great link up play between Read and Smith allowed the opportunity for Smith to have another long distance shot but this time his show went wide.

But where Harlow looked dangerous, so did Thurrock going forward. Thurrock went so close to equalising as a cross whipped in from the left found the head of Charlie Stimson but his head glanced off the crossbar.

As the time ticked on and chances being missed by Harlow through Cowley and Stamp, it looked as if Harlow were heading for a consecutive 1-0 victory.

But in the 89th minute, Thurrock equalised dramatically. A freekick deep in the half of Harlow was whipped in and looked awkward for Dean Driscoll to collect and was unable to as he appeared to put it into the back of the net. But the controversy comes from whether or not there was a foul on the keeper from Stimson and the majority of the Harlow players and fans were devastated by the decision to award the goal. However Harlow still remain unbeaten in the league but slipped to second in the table.

ATTENDANCE:208