Holloway injury marred narrow defeat at Ship Lane

The match was delayed by 50 minutes when Holloway was hurt in the 41st minute following what appeared an accidental clash on the far touchline near the managers’ dug outs.

An ambulance was called and Holloway was taken to Basildon hospital.

Hawks boss Danny Chapman named new signing Marc Gordell in the starting XI.
Gordell joined from Ryman North rivals Burnham Ramblers earlier in the week. He partnered Josh Urquhart at the heart of the defence as Holloway moved into midfield and looks a useful acquisition.

It was a switch that was to prove catastrophic for Holloway though, playing against one of his old clubs.
After dominating the opening 15 minutes without creating any chances, the Hawks took the lead through Leon Antoine. Right-back Ben Glasgow swept the ball from the right to Alex Read and he shook off the attentions of a Thurrock defender before stabbing the ball through to Antoine on the edge of the six–yard box.

It was all too easy for the big striker as he showed his strength and power, to lift the ball on to his right foot and smash his shot into the roof of the net, giving Thurrock keeper Andy Walker no chance with a composed finish.

Thurrock could have levelled on 24 minutes when Joe Christou’s thunderous strike from outside the box was superbly tipped away for a corner by Hawks skipper and keeper Ed Thompson.
Read should have scored his 29th league goal just before the half-hour mark, and will rue a bad miss which would prove crucial.
Urquhart’s long ball from the halfway line was flicked on and Read was given the freedom of the Thurrock box. However, with just Walker to beat he hit a shot from eight yards out straight at the keeper, who blocked well.

Thurrock equalised on 38 minutes. Robbie Farrell fired in the rebound after Thompson punched away Christou’s curling strike.
It was bitterly disappointing for Harlow as they had dominated much of the first half.

Harlow suffered a blow just before the break when Holloway went down injured and had to be taken off by stretcher.
After a 50-minute delay, the game resumed, with James Smith coming on for Holloway.

On the stroke of half-time, Thurrock took the lead when Robbie Farrell scored his second.
A deep right-wing cross to the far post saw some statuesque defending from Ben Glasgow, which allowed Fleet marksman Farrell to flick in at the far post.

Harlow carved an ideal chance to equalise on 53 minutes but, after Smith’s fantastic run into the box, Shane Stamp had the goal at his mercy but blasted high towards the heavens.

Near the hour, Junior Dadson came on for the injured Antoine and moments later Thompson made a brilliant one-handed save to deny John Osonowo from close range.

On 75, minutes the Thurrock keeper made an outstanding double save from Read and the Jared Small as Harlow pushed in search of an equaliser.

With a little over 13 minutes remaining, Chapman brought on Junior Appiah for Stamp

Smith, who had looked the best player on the pitch since replacing Holloway, went close with a long-range effort that almost caught out Walker. Dadson’s deflected effort almost looped over the keeper and into the net on 87 minutes.

Harlow created one last chance when Eadie’s left-wing cross seemed set to be buried into the net by Fabion Simms. But Appiah, in an awkward position, took the ball off his head as the chance went begging.

With Needham enjoying a comfortable win, this closed the gap to three points and the Suffolk side have games in hand.

But all thoughts will be with Holloway, who will now be out for the rest of the season.