Double triumph as Thurrock Hockey seconds win the league

Date posted: 22-03-2011

Mens 2
MALDON & LITTLE BADDOW II 3 – 5 THURROCK II

Thurrock went into this top of the league clash needing three points to secure top spot in NE14HOCKEY Div 6SE for the 2011 season. Things did not start out as planned as Thurrock felt the early pressure from a well drilled Maldon team mixing age with the speed of youth and were 1-0 down after a powerful strike from the Maldon forward penetrated the Tee’s keeper, skipper Keith Mager. Tees’ had to regroup quickly after finding themselves behind, and started passing better, giving club leading scorer Michael Murray the opportunity to slot home from close range to send thurrock into the break at 1-1.

Thurrock tried to take the positives from the half but were found scratching their heads, one thing was for sure though, they were below par and need to up the tempo. They blasted out of the blocks in the second half and were 2-1 up quickly thanks to the Ash Snell deflecting in a short corner. Soon afterwards Dec Milane converted a penalty flick to leave the score at 3-1. As Tee’s started to move the ball freely, Maldon’s never say die attitude that has seen them promoted this year saw them pull back a goal from close range with 20 minutes remaining. Three goals in quick succession, two from Thurrock and one from Maldon, left the score line at Maldon 3 – Thurrock 5 and the Tees virtually guaranteed the top spot.

The 2s are scheduled to face bottom of the league Clacton on Saturday at 12.30 and only a huge defeat would allow Brentwood to take the silverware away from the Palmer’s college based side.

Mens 3

OLD LOUGHTONIANS WOODSMEN 5 – 0 THURROCK III
Thurrock were under heavy pressure from the first whistle of this NE14HOCKEY Div 8SE game against the already promoted leaders. The Woodsmen came forward in numbers and forced Thurrock into defensive action. Midway through the half Woodsmen scored when a half hit shot bobbled over the line. Thurrock continued to work hard but eventually conceded again from a well-hit short corner just before half time. Thurrock went further behind two minutes into the second half when a defensive clearance went straight to an attacker’s stick and rebounded over the line. Thurrock maintained their effort and Jimmy Venus shot inches wide after receiving a measured pass from Michael Fleming, however Thurrock’s attacks were rare as the home side held them in their own half and keeper Danny Hick was called upon to make a string of last-minute saves. In the last 10 minutes Thurrock tried hard to get onto the score sheet and played some good hockey to move up the pitch but inevitably their action left them open to counter attacks and Loughts added two more goals to their tally.

The last game of the season is at Palmers with Wapping the opposition at 2pm

Ladies 1
THURROCK I 1 – 0 OLD LOUGHTONIANS

The ladies were left without their 12th player due to a last minute panic as they had to relinquish Meera Sudd to the Seconds due to last minute unavailability. The ladies arrived downheartend knowing that their season had been a disappointment as they knew their relegation battle was over! Despite this they played a fast and furious game with a number of players carrying injuries and knowing that they had the bare 11 players! What an outstanding performance was had and captain Tessa Ing marshalled her team to a victory that merely confirmed that had the team not suffered from availability throughout the season then their lowly position in the league would never have happened. A performance that the ladies can be proud of and must take heart from.
This Saturday the Firsts are away to Crostyx

Ladies 2

THURROCK II 1 – 5 OLD DE FERRIANS
A disastrous start to the game when Thurrock realised that a last minute unavailability meant that the team was to play with 10 players against the second in the division. The ladies fought with tenacity but within minutes Old De Ferrians showed their superiority and scored a scorcher of a goal… quickly followed by a second. Then to add further concern playmaker Karen Lucking went off for treatment to a serious hand injury… down to nine players the ladies expected the floodgates to open. Outstanding goalkeeping from Karen Richardson drew breaths of amazement from the opposition and spectators and she kept her team in the game. Meera Sudd arrived to balance the numbers and quickly the ladies settled with some fine play with Lucking and Sudd calming the midfield. A game where Thurrock fought hard but were always playing ‘catch up’. This has been the story of the season and the ladies also now know that their relegation battle has also been lost!
This Saturday the Twos away to Harlow

Ladies 3
HAVERING 1 – 0 THURROCK III

Thurrock needed one point from this game to ensure that relegation was to be avoided. The game was played at an impressive pace and kept the Havering spectators enthralled to the end. End to end hockey was seen and the ladies played some of their best hockey all season. Becky Grant caused havoc in the opening minutes and threatened to break the deadlock with some fine runs. Player of the match Charlotte Adnams was an inspiration to her team mates for her continued running and decisive passing .The back line of Jude Hare, Debbie Lakey and Lisa Simmonds made sure that the Havering attack never really threatened in the first half with a really solid performance.

At half time the score was 0-0 and the ladies felt confident that a victory was there for the taking. It was during a lapse of concentration that T’s went behind after a ‘melee’ of feet and infringements. Not to be disheartened the ladies replied with ‘gusto’ and earning deserved praise from all spectators. In the dying minutes of the game Jackie Simmonds shot a goal and the goalkeeper cleared to the T’s attack only for a second shot to be saved on the line. The whistle went, the applause started but the evasive point went missing. So it is all down to the last match of the season next Saturday when the ladies play Harlow in the ‘bottom of the league’ clash. The ladies need to take one point from this game to secure their place in this Division 3.

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