Hawks scoop playoff spot

In the fifth minute of added time Alex Read finished from close range after it had looked like the Hawks had let a comfortable win slip from their grasp. Joe Benjamin put Harlow ahead early on, before Read doubled the lead soon after the re-start from the penalty spot.

With only ten minutes of normal time remaining Tilbury got back into the game with a close range finish, before a penalty of their own drew the scores level. As it looked like Harlow would have to settle for a point, Read cropped up in the box to send the home side into ecstasy.

It was the perfect start for Harlow, when Joe Benjamin unleashed a 25 yard wonder-strike after just five minutes. Dwade James had an opportunity to hit back soon after when he beat Ibrahima Sonko in the Harlow box, but his effort went just wide of the post.

Both sides continued to trade blows, without truly testing the goalkeepers. Jared Small failed to connect with a good cross from Read, and his shot was gathered comfortably by Tilbury stopper Louis Hawes.

Small then headed over the bar, before Alex Read’s run into the box saw his shot go just over, as the Hawks looked to increase their lead.

Tilbury did have attempts on goal, but the efforts were more speculative as they continued to look for an equaliser. Luke Stanley’s free kick went wide of the post, while Daniel Glozier’s drilled shot from outside the area flew over the bar with no danger to David Hughes’ goal.

Just before half-time, Alex Read and Fabion Simms both had efforts on target, but Hawes was equal to the chances to restrict the lead to one goal going into the break.

HT: Harlow Town 1-0 Tilbury

Soon after the re-start, the Hawks were given a gilt-edged opportunity when Jack Carlile fouled in the penalty box. Alex Read finished off the penalty to put himself on the scoresheet for the fifth consecutive game.

Read was a constant thorn in the side of the Tilbury defence, and again went close when he latched onto a diagonal ball from Mario Noto. The shot went across goal and inches wide of the post to the relief of the visiting ‘keeper.

Alex Read then saw held off centre-back Danny Smith in a tussle for the ball, breaking clear to shoot, but the goalkeeper took the pace out of the shot allowing Joe Nightingill to recover and clear the ball before it reached the goal-line.

Tilbury hadn’t given up on taking something from the game, and when David Hughes couldn’t collect a cross cleanly, the ball was played goalwards. Ibrahima Sonko was on the line to head clear and keep the visitors at bay.

Jared Small and Fabion Simms both had efforts to put the game to bed, but couldn’t connect cleanly with their shots, and in the final ten minutes it looked as though the Hawks would pay for the missed chances.

A well worked Tilbury throw-in routine found Francis Babalola at the back post, and the winger made no mistake in finishing from close range.

Just three minutes later, a further attack saw Hawks midfielder Syrus Gordon commit a foul on the corner of the penalty box, leaving the referee with no choice to point to the spot.
Daniel Glozier made certain of the penalty, and seemed to have snatched a point for the visitors.

However there was more to come in an action-packed final few minutes, and Harlow were awarded a corner in the fifth minute of injury time. Ibrahima Sonko headed down to Alex Read on the edge of the six yard box, with the striker turning and shooting under the goalkeeper to take his tally to 9 goals in the last five games.

With Cheshunt losing out to fellow playoff-hopefuls Cray Wanderers, the result guarantees the Hawks will feature in the playoffs for the third year in a row.

FT: Harlow Town 3-2 Tilbury
ATTENDANCE: 262

Harlow remain in third, on 86 points from 42 games, with only four league games remaining. In the race for second place, the Hawks travel to Bury Town on Tuesday night at the same time that Thurrock host Cray Wanderers.

The game is on Tuesday 5th April. Kick off is at 7:45pm.

With thanks to Craig Messenger for the match notes.