Impressive Hawks smash record

Thurrock went ahead through an early goal with their first attack of the game, before a resurgent Hawks upped their game in the second period. An own goal seconds after the restart drew Harlow level, before Junior Dadson’s mazy run and finish took the lead.

Mario Noto bundled a cross into the back of the net before Alex Read’s deft chip completed the rout to defeat Thurrock twice in the space of 11 days.

The Hawks almost got off to a perfect start, when after just two minutes Alex Read was brought down by former Harlow ‘keeper Rhys Madden. The referee awarded a penalty, but Read, usually prolific from the penalty spot, sent the ball wide of the post.

The miss seemed to invigorate the visitors, and with nine minutes on the clock they took the lead. Ronnie Winn did well to shrug off the Hawks defence, before finishing low into the corner from 18 yards out.

Harlow bounced back, and went on to retain much of the possession in the first half without creating many chances. Ibrahima Sonko’s header from a corner was cleared off the line, and Piers Wixon dragged a half-chance wide, but with neither ‘keeper having much to do in the first half, it was all to do for the Hawks in the second period.

HT: Harlow Town 0-1 Thurrock

The hosts came flying out of the blocks, and with just 20 seconds on the clock after the restart they were level. Alex Read reached the byline, and powered a low cross across the face of goal. With Junior Dadson waiting to tap it in at the back post, Remi Sutton got there first and directed the ball into his own net.

Thurrock could have gone ahead again when there was a scramble in the Harlow six yard box, but desperate defending cleared the ball out of danger. An action packed five minutes followed which saw the Hawks put the game out of sight.

Fabion Simms played the ball out to Junior Dadson, who burst into the opposition half. With his twisting and turning run wrong-footing defenders Junior Baker and Remi Sutton, the winger cut inside on his left foot and put a curling shot out of reach of the ‘keeper.

Three minutes later, Piers Wixon reached the byline and his cut-back found its way to Mario Noto in the centre who diverted the ball just inside the post.

Alex Read then made it three goals in five minutes. Read stole the ball from Rhys Madden, who had failed to make a routine clearance. With the ‘keeper off his line, and two defenders around him, Read looked up before chipping over them and just under the bar to cap a phenomenal quarter of an hour.

With the wind knocked out of their sails, the Hawks comfortably saw out the remainder of the game, to take their 12th win in a row and inscribe their exploits into the Harlow Town record books.

FT: Harlow Town 4-1 Thurrock
ATTENDANCE: 351

Harlow move onto 72 points from 33 games, still in second place. AFC Sudbury and AFC Hornchurch in first and third respectively also won, so there’s no change at the top.

Harlow now travel to Dereham Town on Saturday 20th February to see if they can continue the good run. It will be a 3pm kick off.