Oliver Rudgewick reports on the Essex derby as Thurrock continue their push for promotion…
Thurrock failed to close the gap on Ryman North leaders AFC Sudbury, with a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Harlow Town at Ship Lane.
Two first half goals from Junior Dadson and Alex Read put the Hawks in the ascendancy before the break.
Thurrock’s Ronnie Winn gave the home side some hope early in the second half, but it was too little too late as Harlow move into the playoffs.
The home side where dominate in the early exchanges and were unlucky not to get an early penalty when the ball struck defender Ibrahima Sonko’s arm in the area after just four minutes, but the referee waved away claims.
The hosts misery was compounded just three minutes later, as Dadson’s shot from outside the area took a huge deflection off defender Lewis Clark, which looped over the head of keeper Rhys Madden.
Harlow went on to dominate the rest of the half with both Read and Dadson forcing great saves out of Madden on two occasions.
Disallowed goal
Read finally doubled the lead for the Hawks with just five minutes left of the first half. Winger Joe Benjamin worked a ball in from the left that was tapped in by Read for his 23rd goal of the season.
The Fleet rallied in the second half, with Ronnie Winn heading in a fantastic David Cowley cross to give them a glimmer of hope – just 11 minutes into the second half.
The game opened up after the goal, with Read missing from just five yards out for Harlow as they struggled to put themselves out of sight.
With just two minutes left, the Fleet thought they had an equaliser when top scorer Ross Wall fired in from close range only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.
The result leaves Thurrock third in the Ryman League North one point behind second place AFC Hornchurch and nine points behind leaders AFC Sudbury
Harlow now move into fourth just one point behind Thurrock, as they remain third.