Thurrock clinch narrow win

Harlow Town started 2018 with a loss as a fortuitous goal from Curtis Ujah just before half time sealed the three points for the hosts.

The Hawks had sustained periods of pressure, but came up against an excellent Thurrock defence who wouldn’t be broken down.

It was Thurrock who created the opening chances when a shot inside the penalty area caused a scramble, but Timothy Ogunrinde and Jordan Clark couldn’t concert the rebounds.

The Hawks hit back with chances of their own. Toby Ajala sent a dangerous looking cross into the box but with the goal in front of him Kezie Ibe couldn’t divert into the net

Junior Dadson was then put through on the Thurrock goal by Fabion Simms’ inch-perfect ball, but former Harlow stopper Ben McNamara saved well to keep the game goalless.

Alex Read continued the pressure for Harlow when his curling shot from the edge of the area just drifted wide of the post.

The chances continued to come for both sides, and when Perry Dunn connected with a free header from a corner he should have put the hosts ahead but it missed the target.

It was the turn of Harlow goalkeeper David Hughes to make a save when he saved from Lewwis Spence, as neither team could find the breakthrough.

As it looked as though the first half would remain goalless, Thurrock took the lead. Joe Christou’s corner was met by Curtis Ujah, and when his header cannoned off the post and fell kindly to him again, he poked home the rebound.

HT: Thurrock 1-0 Harlow Town

The game continued in the second period with both sides trading blows. The Hawks continued to enjoy large spells of possession, but they were unable to turn it into clear-cut chances as the Thurrock defence nullified the Harlow attacks.

Hawks boss Danny Chapman rang the changes with the introduction of attackers Tommie Fagg and Leon Antoine in an attempt to break down the resolute defence, and Fagg almost had a direct impact when he went close with a free kick.

Thurrock were absorbing the pressure, and almost doubled their lead when Remi Sutton crashed an effort off the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

Harlow Town threw everything at the Thurrock defence in the search for an equaliser, but despite delivering several dangerous balls into the box in the final ten minutes, the hosts cleared their lines expertly to hold on for the win.

FT: Thurrock 1-0 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 136