The Pitching In Isthmian Football League

Ryman North play-off semi-finals review

29 Apr 2016 By David Watters

Division North news

Sunday`s Ryman North play-off final will be between Harlow Town, who finished third in the regular season, and AFC Hornchurch, who were fifth, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

These two sides were amongst the pundits` pre-season favourites to go up but they hadn`t reckoned on AFC Sudbury`s tremendous campaign.

On Wednesday night, Harlow hosted a Cray Wanderers` outfit who ended up in fourth place after leading the table for a large chunk of the season.

A bad spell after the turn of the year saw the Wands fall down the table and it didn't get better in front of a crowd of 832 at the Harlow Arena - the Hawks comfortably sailed through their semi-final.

After a goalless opening half, the Hawks hit Cray with two goals in four minutes immediately after the restart, Junior Dadson breaking the deadlock before a penalty was converted by Alex Read.

Jared Small’s cross was finished by Piers Wixon to make it game over just shy of the hour-mark.

Thurrock entered their semi-final against Essex rivals AFC Hornchurch at Ship Lane as firm favourites after finishing as runners-up to Sudbury.

But in front of a crowd of 514, the Urchins produced a solid display to win it after taking an 11th minute lead through a George Purcell spot-kick.

Junior Luke doubled the visitors` advantage in the 38th minute and then defended well after the break to make it through to Sunday`s final.

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Where next?

Ryman South play-off semi-finals review Play-off semi-finals are normally tight affairs but Tuesday's in Ryman South saw Worthing thrash Hythe Town 7-0 to set up a meeting Faversham Town at Woodside Road on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Live and exclusive play-off action! Follow the Ryman Premier promotion play-offs on the live scores service and for the first time ever, on Pitchero Play!