Hawks secure home playoff tie

Two goals in two first half minutes set the Hawks on the way to a routine win. Joe Benjamin’s chip from outside the area crept inside the post, and then an own goal just a minute later doubled the lead.

Lewis Perkins finished a one-on-one in the second half to seal the win, before Great Wakering scored a consolation goal with minutes left to play.

Harlow started well, knowing a win would ensure that they had home advantage in the playoff semi-final game. Piers Wixon went close early on when a rebound fell to him in the area, but the shot went just wide of the post.

As the half wore on, Harlow dominated possession and started to exert pressure in the attacking third. Only last gasp defending kept the scoresheet blank as Alex Read’s goal-bound shot was blocked by visiting defender Bradley Vaughn.

With 26 minutes on the clock, an attacking move down the left resulted in a strange opening goal. Joe Benjamin’s cross-come-shot floated over the goalkeeper’s head, tucking inside the far post from an unlikely angle.

Straight from the re-start the Hawks won possession, with Jared Small’s run finding the byline. His low shot was turned into the net by Great Wakering right-back Ellis Sands under pressure from Alex Read.

Harlow were piling the pressure on, sensing the opportunity to improve their goal-difference with a comprehensive win. Jared Small’s shot from 10 yards out was charged down before it could trouble the goalkeeper, and from the resulting corner Ibrahima Sonko put a header just wide of the goal.

With half-time approaching, Joe Benjamin cut inside with a mazy run and burst into the box, but his effort was well saved onto the bar. With Harlow attackers bearing down on the rebound, the visitors hooked the ball safe to keep the deficit down to two.

HT: Harlow Town 2-0 Great Wakering Rovers

David Hughes in the Harlow goal was largely untroubled for the majority of the game, with the Great Wakering strikers resorting to efforts from distance. Jake Gordon had a sight of goal, but his shot from the edge of the area flew over the bar.

Harlow continued to push forward, with Syrus Gordon forcing Rovers’ stopper Adam Seal into a good save. Gordon side-stepped two defenders before shooting, but the Seal was equal to the effort, tipping around the post.

Ryan Melaugh sent a well-struck volley over the bar from a good Jared Small cross, before Piers Wixon almost sealed a wonderful passing move from Harlow, but his 20-yard effort went just over.

A third goal was coming, and on 76 minutes substitute Lewis Perkins was on the scoresheet. A perfectly timed through-ball sent him clear of the defence, and he calmly tucked the ball past the onrushing keeper.

Harlow seemed to have produced the perfect performance, and the defence will be disappointed to have allowed a blot in the copybook late in the game. Jake Gordon’s good run from midfield created space to play in Dan Gilchrist. A neat chipped finish gave the visitors a consolation in what was otherwise a comfortable win for the Hawks.

FT: Harlow Town 3-1 Great Wakering Rovers
ATTENDANCE: 275

Thurrock and Harlow are still tied on points in second and third respectively, with Thurrock occupying the higher place courtesy of giving a better goal difference of just one.

The result ensures that Harlow will be playing at home in the playoff semi-final, with the final league placing to be decided on the last day of the season.

The Hawks travel to league champions AFC Sudbury looking for a win on the final day of the regular league campaign. Kick off is at 3:00pm on Saturday 23rd April 2016.