Hawks' battling win at title-chasing Thurrock

Junior Dadson scored early on to set-up a thrilling tie, before Alex Read doubled the lead with a close range finish. Thurrock looked a much more purposeful side after the break, and duly pulled one back with a close range header, but resolute defending from the visitors saw Harlow defeat their opponents for the first time in six meetings.

Harlow got off to the perfect start with just 6 minutes played, when a neat one-two between Jared Small and Junior Dadson put Dadson through on goal. His shot took a heavy deflection from Lewis Clark to loop over the goalkeeper and tuck under the bar.

A poor back pass then sent Alex Read through one-on-one with former Harlow ‘keeper Rhys Madden, but the Thurrock stopper saved well with his legs to prevent the goal.

Thurrock went close when David Cowley, who featured for the Hawks earlier this season, put a free kick into the box. The initial header was blocked before the follow up was hooked clear off the line to the relief of the travelling support.

Although they saw their fair share of possession, the home side were struggling to create anything, with Fabion Simms and Mario Noto in the Harlow midfield snuffing out any opportunity before it became a threat.

Joe Benjamin’s strength and speed were causing panic in the Thurrock defence, and several crosses were flashed across the face of goal with no-one able to convert. Eventually his efforts were rewarded, when another mazy run ended with a low ball drilled across the box. Alex Read tapped home at the back post to give the Hawks a deserved two goal cushion.

Junior Dadson had a wonderful opportunity to make it three, when Alex Read sent the pacy winger behind the defence. Madden once again used his legs to save well, and the home side could thank their ‘keeper that they weren’t more than two goals down at the break.

HT: Thurrock 0-2 Harlow Town

Thurrock looked a changed side after half-time, and instantly looked a lot more threatening, with their passing game starting to come together.

Ten minutes after the re-start, David Cowley put an inch-perfect cross into the box, and Ronnie Winn headed home from 6 yards out, leaving David Hughes no chance.

The goal put the wind in Thurrock’s sails, and Harlow had to withstand a period of heavy pressure as the hosts looked for the equaliser. A scramble in the area was hooked out to safety as Thurrock committed themselves forward.

A cross from Joe Benjamin struck a defender and fell fortuitously in the box for Alex Read. The striker turned and swiped at the ball, but leaning back he couldn’t keep the shot down as it grazed the crossbar. A second goal was the least Read deserved after working tirelessly all game.

Just seconds later, Leon Antoine struck a blistering shot at goal, but Rhys Madden tipped it onto the bar, and Joe Benjamin couldn’t get the follow-up on target.

Thurrock had a gilt-edged chance to draw level within the final 15 minutes, when goal-scorer Winn whipped a pass across the face of goal, but no-one could turn the ball into the net.

Harlow almost scored immediately at the opposite end, when Alex Read chased down a long ball. Madden, Thurrock’s player of the match on the night, again saved, with the ball falling temptingly in front of goal but without a Harlow player within 10 yards to poke into the empty net.

Into a nervy final few minutes, and another cross from David Cowley was poked goalwards by Joe Christou. David Hughes saved and held the ball from close range with a fantastic stop, to secure the three points and a 9th win in a row for Harlow.

FT: Thurrock 1-2 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 129

Harlow’s continued good form moves the Hawks up to 4th, with just two points separating second through fourth. The Hawks now have 63 points from 30 games.

Next, Harlow travel to Heybridge Swifts on Saturday 6th February, for a 3:00pm kick off.