Sonko strikes late

A poor game looked to be heading to a goalless draw when Ibrahima Sonko nodded home a free kick in the 90th minute.

Both sides had been struggling to get a hold of the game on an evening where the poor pitch hampered any entertaining football and neither goalkeeper had much to do.

The hosts had the first sight of goal when the ball bounced through to Lee Harding at the back of the penalty area, but his half-volley from 10 yards out blazed over.

Junior Dadson then broke through the Burgess Hill defence, but with as he was bearing down on goal James Shaw was quick off his line and the striker hit well over the bar.

The first half was a drab affair, with both sides failing to retain possession, and as a result there was little action in both penalty areas.

On the half hour mark Syrus Gordon laid off to Junior Dadson in the box, but he smashed the shot straight at the Burgess Hill stopper who collected well.

On the stroke of half-time the ball was rolled across the edge of the Harlow Town area to Pierre Hazet who struck it first time, but couldn’t keep it down.

HT: Burgess Hill Town 0-0 Harlow Town

The second half started in much the same vein as the first, with sloppy passing on show all over the pitch preventing any meaningful chances being created.

Lee Harding had a free kick on the edge of the area for the hosts, but like many of the efforts before it sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

The game began to open up with 15 minutes left to play, and David Hughes was called into action for the first time in the game. Rob O’Toole was sent through on goal, but Hughes was off his line quickly to save at the feet of the attacker.

Lucas Rodrigues then went close when his shot took a deflection and went just over the Harlow crossbar.

O’Toole then hit the bar when his looping header just wouldn’t dip enough to go in, while Lee Harding’s volley went wide as the hosts searched for a goal.

The Hawks were also pushing forward to take a late lead, with Junior Dadson hitting the side netting from a tight angle.

In the 90th minute the elusive goal came when Burgess Hill conceded a free kick 30 yards from goal. Jared Small put the cross in the area, and captain Ibrahima Sonko rose above a mass of bodies to head in off the post.

The goal sparked the hosts into life, with Cheick Toure and Aaron Smith-Joseph going close in the dying seconds, but the single goal was enough for the Hawks to come away with three vital points.

FT: Burgess Hill Town 0-1 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 245

The Hawks move on to 60 points, still with an outside chance of a playoff spot.

Next up, the Hawks travel to Tonbridge Angels on Saturday 25th March. It’s a 3:00pm kick off.