In a statement on the club website, the chair of Grays Athletic, Keith Burns detailed the changes off the pitch.

Mr Burns said: “Andy Swallow will step own as CEO following the under-18s final at Beaconsfield next week. His business partner Joel Nathan will thereafter takeover the role .

“Andy has some issues to deal with away from the football club during the summer, which will occupy his time, and I personally applaud the decision that he has taken, and needless to say I wish him well, and eagerly await his return to the club.

“As part of the restructuring Andy’s son Danny Swallow joins the board in the position of vice-chairman.”

The club have been charged with playing an ineligible player by the Football Association – and if the case is proved they will be deducted points – a move that will see them relegated to the Ryman One North next season.

The controversy surrounds striker and convicted football hooligan Joel Barnett, a journeyman non-league player and former Scunthorpe United YTS trainee who has played for a number of local clubs including Tilbury, Grays Athletic and Aveley.

And Tilbury will also face a points deduction is it is proved that Barnett played while under a ‘sine die’ ban this season, though that won’t cost them their Ryman One North status. Dockers have been charged with 11 alleged breaches but they finished high enough in the league so that even a significant deduction over a player who scored seven goals wouldn’t affect the future.

For Thurrock though, who beat Lewes 2 – 0 on August 25 with Barnett in the side, the risk of relegation looms large. The deduction of just two points would see Fleet and Carshalton Athletic swap places.
Barnett made four appearances for Thurrock at the beginning of the season, most crucially in a 2-0 win against Lewes on 25 August. If Thurrock were docked just one of the three points won that day they will be relegated after finishing the season on 41 points, one above relegated Carshalton but they have a worse goal difference.

The FA believe that no club should have played Barnett because he was suspended sine die for failing to pay fines to to West Riding FA incurred through a Wakefield Sunday League side, that has now folded.

The problem came to light when Barnett moved to Harlow, but they found out about his suspension and flagged up what had happened to the FA.

As well as Thurrock and Aveley, Conference North side Bishops Stortford, also played the striker in pre-season and they too face FA sanction.

Barnett’s troubled history doesn’t just involve on field problems. In September 2011 he and members of his family were jailed for a violent assault on fellow Huddersfield Town fans, stewards and police at an Old Trafford League play-off final between Huddersfield and Peterborough United on 29 May, 2001.

Paul Barnett, 47, and his sons Jotham, 20, Joel, 21, and Jordan , 29, all admitted affray and Joel admitted an additional charge of criminal damage for defecating in a police van following his arrest. Jordan was jailed for 21 months, Jotham and Paul for 18 months and Joel for a total of 16 months.

After his spell in jail Barnett tried to resurrect his playing career in Essex and Hertfordshire. having failed to secure a spot at Bishops Stortford he then joined Thurrock, scoring once in his four appearances and then made a return to Tilbury, where he had previously played 27 games, and scored seven goals in 13 appearances.

Ryman League Vice Chairman and Company Secretary Nick Robinson explained the procedure that will happen over the next few days – and why it needs to be completed urgently.

He said: “It is The FA who are making the initial charge and if proved the League will then act.
“The FA hearing is first so if the case is not proved, that is an end to the matter. If proved the league will then have a hearing as both Thurrock and Tilbury have requested a personal hearing with both the FA and the League.
“Rule 6.9 provides that if a Club plays an ineligible player it “shall” have points gained deducted so it is likely that points will be deducted if there is a hearing.
“The Clubs are likely then to appeal to the FA; these need to be dealt with by the time we hold our AGM on 16 June so it is important for hearings to be held quickly.”
Thurrock secretary Mark Southgate, who formerly held a similar position at Tilbury , which he left in acrimonious circumstances two years ago, now finds himself in an alliance with his former club as they seek to beat the FA charge.
He said: “I wouldn’t have thought we’ll be docked points. If it was going to be done, it would have been done many, many months ago.
“We’re talking about this now, but it came about in January. It’s the way the appeals process goes. I don’t think there will be a guilty verdict.”
Barnett, who has returned to Yorkshire where he owns and runs the Bar Twelve in Birstall near Leeds, faces many individual charges from the FA but is not directly involved with the appeals by the charged clubs.
While he pulls pints in the north, there will be plenty for Thurrock manager Mark Stimson and club owner Tommy South to mull over as they head for the sun in Magaluf this week for an end of season club staff trip.

This is just the first of three that they are in.

They travelled to Colney Heath to play Reading FC in the Merton Shield.

Grays Athletic played against a swirling wind and went in goal-less at half time but could have been two up just before the break.

Dan Gilcrest had a great chance rounding the keeper and just clipping the outside of the post.

Second half now playing with the wind and down the slop Grays turned up the pressure.

They introduced in-form Jay Knight along side Dan Gilcrest and they soon saw the rewards. Knight scored the first 29 mins into the second half. Jon Watson smashed a free kick against the post and Dan Gilcrest volleyed on the edge of 18 yard box into the roof of the net.

Reading then poured forward and with 10 mins to go got one back.

Grays held their nerve and Dan Gilcrest scored two in three mins to bring the Merton Shield to Grays Arhletic .

Captain Danny Swallow lifted what he hopes to be the first of three trophies.

They now entertain Boreham Wood on Weds 7.45pm at Rush Green in the League Champions Cup.

Grays start as under-dogs but anything can be achieved by a club who have seen great success and team spirit this season.

The following week they compete in the Colwyn Cup final at Beaconsfield FC against either Crawley Green/ Oxley Jets or Chesham.

Full details: TBC

Essex Pelly Under 18s Cup Final

Brentwood Town 1-1 Thurrock (after extra time, Thurrock won 5-4 on penalties)

THURROCK required a nail-biting penalty shootout to secure victory over Brentwood Town in the final of the Essex Pelly Under 18s Cup, completing an unprecedented County Cup quadruple in the process.

The result also saw the South Essex side avenge last season’s 2-1 defeat to the same opponents, whilst many of the squad had been involved in 2012’s Cassells Under 16s Cup final reverse against Tempest. “I’m massively over the moon for the boys,” beamed boss Mark Sambridge straight after the final whistle.

“We’ve had a lot of misfortune, I suppose, in the County Cup; we’ve gone out in the final stages and we got beaten in the final last year, so you do look at it and wonder if it’s going to happen again, but it was great. It’s been fantastic for all of our sides to have done it; the Under 16s led us off with a fantastic victory and then the Under 14s and 15s last weekend, so I said to these guys that there was no pressure.”

“We were going off last, we’ve got three of the four and we were playing, if not the toughest, then one of the toughest sides at our age group, so there’s a massive sense of achievement for Thurrock in getting those results. For this group to have won it in the manner we have, we really have dug in, fought hard and earned it against a really, really good side, so it’s very gratifying.”

In a gripping match of few clear-cut chances, Thurrock’s Billy Rix steered a 25-yard drive narrowly wide of the right-hand post in the 17th minute before a beautiful reverse pass from Alex Akrofi released Jacob Dingli at the other end, only for Ricky Cooper to turn his strike into the side netting.

Thurrock took the lead in the 26th minute when Rix flicked on Lewis Clark’s long throw and Danny Gammaldi dextrously swivelled to slide the ball beyond Will Russell from eight yards out. Sambridge’s side ended the opening period on top and Russell was forced to make two smart saves to crisp Jordan Clark efforts. The second half saw a different pattern emerge.

Dingli was wayward with a pair of speculative attempts from distance and Cooper was brought into action for the first time in the 66th minute to keep out Akrofi’s deflected set piece. The Town winger was then unfortunate to see his chipped finish bounce inches wide having beaten Cooper to Shadrak Ngandu’s slide-rule pass, before being heroically denied by the Thurrock defence in the 79th minute when Rory Allen’s fierce strike was only partially charged down.

Brentwood thought they had levelled four minutes from the end when Ngandu met Akrofi’s corner on the half-volley, but the ball was hooked off the line. Instead, a dramatic denouement to the regulation 90 minutes was delayed until Akrofi expertly controlled a long ball and dribbled around Cooper to slam into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Sambridge admitted to feeling nervous at this stage: “I did think, for them to equalise a minute before the end of normal time, there were a lot of boys struggling with bad groins and hamstrings and a lot of tiredness out there, so it was just a matter of seeing it through. I’m feeling relief more than anything.”

“To be honest, I thought that we got a second wind in extra time and I was just concerned because of fitness. We’ve got a lot of ‘first years’ and they’re a strong side, so you do wonder if we were physically going to be able to match them, and there’s mental tiredness as well. But, if anything, we dug in and I think we had some good opportunities on the break ourselves. We handled it quite well.”

Sam Cross curled a 30-yard free kick over the crossbar for Brentwood, but Thurrock were indeed revitalised and Jordan Clark’s clever flick-on was thumped goalwards by Ayo Awosika, necessitating a brilliant save from Russell. In the second period, Akrofi had an effort ruled out for offside and Thurrock’s task was made harder when Billy Rix was dismissed for a second caution, but they held on to remain level after extra time.

For the second time in three seasons the Pelly Cup would be decided on penalties, and Cooper gave his team an immediate advantage when he saved from Ngandu. Thurrock made no mistakes with their spot kicks and, although there were no further blemishes by Brentwood, Lewis Clark stepped up to convert his side’s fifth and spark scenes of celebration.

“We’ve been done so many times in penalty shootouts over the years,” claimed Sambridge. “I basically just asked the boys who wanted one and they put their hands up and we just went through the numbers and that was it. It just so happened that Lewis Clark was number five; I was a bit concerned because he was hobbling around a bit towards the end of the game, even he’d said I hope it don’t get that far, but it was fantastic!”

Brentwood Town: Will Russell, Robert Bagnall, Sam Cross, Andy Freeman, Ryan Cosson, Connor Witherspoon, Adam Rooke, Shadrak Ngandu, Jacob Dingli, Jon Nash, Alex Akrofi. Substitutes (repeated): Josh Norman, Harry Quant, Garrett Kelly, King Ellis, Rory Allen.

Thurrock: Ricky Cooper, Lewis Clark, Christian Mbulu, Billy Rix, Flynn Linard, Lawrence Petts, Danny Gammaldi, Ross Woolward, Luke McLeavy, Jordan Clark, Harry Matthews. Substitutes (repeated): James Killingback, Ayo Awosika, Lewis Moore, Charlie Crumpton, David Amole.

Referee: John Magill (Colchester).

Assistant Referee: Ray Savill (Canvey Island) and Aaron Irvine (Westcliff-on-Sea).

Fourth Official: Stuart McMillan (Basildon).

Attendance: 240.

Thurrock 2-0 Upminster Park Rovers (Greens), Sunday 28th April 2013, Kick-Off 3:00pm, Len Salmon Stadium, Essex Rosser Under 15s Cup Final.

Darren Appanah’s brace bookended Thurrock’s 2-0 victory over Upminster Park Rovers at Bowers & Pitsea FC in a result which saw the club claim their third item of County Cup silverware in 2012/13, adding the Rosser Under 15s Cup to the Andrews Under 14s and Cassells Under 16s Cups they already hold in their cabinet.

And, with the Pelly Under 18s Cup final to follow just four days later, Manager Terry Epstein was ecstatic as he beamed: “It’s a great achievement for the club; they’re definitely going in the right direction. Hopefully we’ll complete a clean sweep! I don’t think any other team in Essex have done that before, so that would be a fantastic achievement.”

“I’m just really pleased,” he continued. “Obviously it was disappointing last week when we lost 4-1 on penalties in the Eastern Junior Alliance Presidents Cup, so it was just good to put that right really. We lost in the League Cup last year – against Billericay Town – so after two finals it was a case of third time lucky!”

Thurrock made the best possible start, taking a 1-0 lead in just the 5th minute. Callum Jex’s free kick dipped awkwardly for UPR goalkeeper Richie Morris and, under pressure from Lee Rome, he pushed the ball out into the path of Appanah, who nodded in from close range.

The EJA outfit continued in the ascendancy during the remainder of the first half. Jacob Barlow swung a 20-yard strike into the grateful gloves of Morris with the outside of his right boot after a quarter of an hour, and Harry Catherall darted in from the left flank to drill another attempt straight at the custodian.

When UPR did threaten, it was generally in the form of set-pieces, and Jack Gittens’ in-swinging corner was flicked into the path of Fred Houseago by Harry Gibbs in the 24th minute. Unfortunately for the Echo Junior League club, their Captain’s header was planted narrowly wide of the left-hand upright.

Morris dealt with a viciously curling George Boffa flag kick and a Robert Carroll header from another Boffa delivery before the break, with Epstein believing his team had the advantage of the elements in the opening period.

He recalled: “The first goal’s quite important in a cup final, and I think the wind played a big part in this game. In the first half we had the wind and the momentum was with us, we scored a goal and they didn’t really get out their half, except for one chance from a flick on.”

“In the second half, there was a little bit more pressure, but we knew that was going to happen. They were going to come out second half – in the first ten minutes they were quite strong but I always thought we were in control.”

Indeed, after Jex had scuffed Mason Iley’s pass into Morris’ hands, UPR’s Houseago nodded wide from a Gittens corner and Petcharat Chotipala fired narrowly wide of the left-hand upright. However, Appanah delivered the telling blow for Thurrock three minutes from time, collecting the ball just outside the six-yard box following industrious work from Jack Blackledge on the right flank and shooting past Morris.

In stoppage time, the forward attempted an acrobatic bicycle kick from Barlow’s deep free kick to try and grab the matchball, but the ball looped over the crossbar. Epstein, who has skippered Ockendon and Little Thurrock Dynamos to the Essex Saturday Veterans Cup crown in each of the last two seasons, was thrilled.

He opined: “The boys knew they’d won it by then. It was just a great feeling and I couldn’t wait for the whistle to go. I’ve played in about four or five county finals and I haven’t lost one, so it’s a good record so far. With the boys, it’s the first one they’ve been in for most of them, and one out of one isn’t bad!”

Thurrock: Scott Gunner, Fraser Williams, Lee Rome, Michael Jerman, Jacob Barlow, Robert Carroll, George Boffa, Harry Catherall, Callum Jex, James Slater, Darren Appanah. Substitutes (repeated): Mason Iley, Tommy Epstein, Jack Blackledge, Marlin Manduakila, Kyle Duncan-Hinds.

Upminster Park Rovers: Richie Morris, Fred Houseago, Petcherat Chotipala, Jack Gittins, Harry Gibbs, George O’Connor, Michael Ward, Hamza Lounis, Zuriel Twum, Charly Bruce, Taylor Rowland. Substitutes (repeated): Matthew Kent, Elliot Scott, Niyi Adeaga, Jamie Betts.

Referee: Robert Claussen (South Fambridge).

Assistant Referees: Adam Humphreys (Hornchurch) and Adam Arthur (Chelmsford).

Fourth Official: Craig Barnett (Basildon).

Attendance: 277

=========================================

East Thurrock United 1-3 Thurrock, Sunday 28th April 2013, Kick-Off 11:00am, Len Salmon Stadium, Essex Andrews Under 14s Cup Final.

Thurrock needed to recover from an early deficit to defeat spirited neighbours East Thurrock United and claim the Essex Andrews Under 14s Cup courtesy of a “fairytale” 3-1 victory, as described by their chief Lambros Papantoniou.

Emmanuel Kouassi put East Thurrock ahead in the 17th minute, but Billy Monk quickly pulled a goal back before Joshua Lee’s sensational strike and a third from Jack Willis – still during the first half – sealed Thurrock’s comeback. “I think we’re fortunate that we got a quick reply – it was important to do that,” said Papantoniou.

“We obviously got to 3-1 up at half time and, in the second half, I thought they threw everything at us so we played on the counter. I’m pleased for the boys because they’re the ones who put the work in. Obviously we do a lot behind the scenes to help them, but they’re the guys who actually have to go out there and play. It’s brilliant!”

East Thurrock could only name a squad of eleven for the fixture and they were further hampered by an injury to their goalkeeper sustained last weekend, but they battled hard and could have taken an early lead when Ryan Tattan curled a 25-yard free kick narrowly over the crossbar in the 2nd minute.

Local rivals Thurrock tested stand-in shotstopper Brandon Olagunju for the first time in the 6th minute as Lee’s fierce 20-yard effort was blocked by the legs of the custodian, and Jack Willis followed that up with a deflected strike into the side netting. Two minutes later, Olagunju made a fantastic save to claw out Brandon Williams’ set piece before the defence scrambled Monk’s close-range finish away.

Again Olagunju made a fine stop in the 14th minute, denying Jamie Orchard after the forward had delivered a stinging shot from distance. Then East Thurrock were rewarded for their resilience when Kouassi gave them the lead by beating William Gibson to Tattan’s pass and knocking the ball into the net.

“We knew that East Thurrock were fighters and I thought that their goalkeeper was exceptional,” explained Papantoniou. “He made some really, really quality saves. You’d think with all the injuries they’ve had that maybe they’d be a bit weary, but they were exactly the opposite. They had their backs to the wall but they dug in and stuck together.”

Thurrock could have netted an instant reply when Orchard planted his header wide from Jake Willis’ right-wing cross, but they did equalise in the 25th minute. Orchard’s long-range effort was charged down by a defender but it fell to Monk, who kept his composure to slot past Olagunju. Five minutes later, Thurrock were ahead in show-stopping fashion.

Orchard combined with Jack Willis on the left and they set up Lee, who lashed unstoppably into the top corner from distance. His Manager said: “I put on his profile for the match programme that he’s like a ‘Roy of the Rovers’ because he plays with his heart on his sleeve and sometimes you have to rein him back in. But he’s capable of that – he’s done it a couple of times this season. He’s now captain, and I’m so happy for him to score a goal like that in a County Cup final.”

60 seconds later, Jack Willis found himself clear on the left-hand side of the penalty area and he had the simple task of rolling the ball beyond Olagunju. At the other end, Gibson had to tip over Tattan’s viciously in-swinging corner in the dying stages of the first half, whilst Dennis Sendur was unfortunate to see his shot blocked for East Thurrock during the second period.

Whilst both teams maintained their intensity after the break, there were few chances. Although Jack Willis and Orchard went close, Thurrock couldn’t add to their advantage, but Papantoniou was still happy with the final result: “I’m ecstatic. It’s been a long journey from seven years ago, starting off as a ‘D’ team for the old Grays Cosmos side and we’ve worked our way up throughout those seasons and got better and better year-by-year.”

“This is the benchmark that we always looked at, trying to get near that level, and the boys have been absolutely terrific. It’s all credit to the guys behind the scenes. I think some people might forget what we do. We don’t get paid a penny – we do it for the love of the game, for the love of working with the players.”

“It seems like the everyone’s on the same page at the club. We’ve got the same ethos and it’s been a good couple of years working to get four sides into County Cup finals. It’s been an incredible season. A lot of hard work’s gone into changing little details on how we do things. We’re a club which everyone wants to come and play for now, and that’s a bonus.”

East Thurrock United: Brandon Olagunju, Sam Kirwin, Callum Adelizzi-Hill, Jake Driver, Dennis Sendur, Ryan Tattan, Jayde Abraham, Conor Hales, Emmanuel Kouassi, Darren Phillips, Frankie Naidoo.

Thurrock: William Gibson, Jody Meredith, Kieron Gore, Billy Monk, Jamie Orchard, Jack Willis, Brandon Williams, Bailey Rollins, Jake Willis, Paul Nwanze, Joshua Lee. Substitutes (repeated): Ryan Dinney, Alex Panantoniou, Dylan Lewis, Shaun Gittleson.

Referee: Thomas Whay (Harlow).

Assistant Referees: Tom Beattie (Colchester) and James Beal (Maldon).

Fourth Official: Elliot Horne (Rochford).

Attendance: 180.

===============================

Lowestoft Town 1 v 0 East Thurrock United

EAST THURROCK United’s great season ended in defeat as they lost 1-0 to Lowestoft at Crown Meadow.

First sight of goal came in the 6th minute when Sam Higgins produced a header which went just over the bar.

The Rocks were playing a direct game with David Bryant working hard in the channels.

It was a perfect spring evening at Crown Meadow.

Chris Henderson really should have scored in the 12th minute when he broke free of Stevie Sheehan but blasted the ball over the bar.

The Rocks were stifling the Lowestoft style of play as the home team were getting frustrated. This showed as the Lowestoft defender Okay received the first yellow card of the game.

The rest of the half drifted away.

Both teams came out in the second half determined to try and settle the result before ninety minutes.

Both goalkeepers were rarely troubled until the 56th minute when a Sam Collins header forced a fine save from the Lowestoft keeper.

Once again, the corner didn’t ask any questions of the Suffolk team but the Rocks were imposing pressure.

Rocks subbed David Bryant on for Menga as they looked to unlock Lowestoft however just as they did, Chris Henderson took his chance just inside the area to put the Trawlermen a goal up.

Rocks brought on James Lawson in the hope that his wing play could make a difference. But he could not and it was the Suffolk team that went through to the play-off final on Monday against Wealdstone or Concord Rangers.

Att: 1,182

East Thurrock United: Justham E, Sammons P, Stephen T, Peddie S, Sheehan S, Parmenter R, Ruel K, Clifton A, Higgins S, Bryant D, Collins S

Subs: Wood B, Lawson J, Keith J, Menga A, Barnes

Lowestoft Town: Reynolds, Smith A, Gleeson, Crane, Williams, Smith L, Fisk, Okay, Mitchell, Araba, Henderson.

Subs: Plummer, Francis, Eagle, Benjamin, Frew.

Maldon and Tiptree 3 v 1 Aveley

THE ILL-DISCIPLINE that has marked out Aveley all season cost them dear as a ten man Millers were beaten 2-1 in the semi-final play off of Ryman Division One North.

In bright spring evening sunshine, Aveley started brightly on what was a perfect surface.

Aveley were playing Jordan Cox on his own up front as the Maldon back four lay quite deep and it was that pressure that forced the first corner in the 10th minute.

A minute later, Cox blasted over from close range but it signalled the danger that the loan player caused.

But it was Maldon who had the first gilt edged chance when Robinson beat the offside trap but Aveley keeper, Giddens did well to smother the ball away.

Aveley have an underwhelming discipline record and so it was no surprise when a terrible foul saw the first yellow card go to Aveley.

Another threatening run by Cox saw another shot blasted in what was soon turning out to be an entertaining game.

The tackles were flying in and you could sense it was going to be a passionate affair.

James Robinson looked very dangerous as well as Lee Boylan who had one chalked off for offside but they both had the measure of the Miller’s defence.

The second yellow card for Aveley came from a crass challenge by Bradley Thomas on the edge of the box. Cawley sent over the free kick but Jordan Cox headed it away.

But it was Maldon who opened the scoring when again Robinson got to the dead ball line crossed over and Lee Boylan bundled the ball in from close range.

Maldon poured the pressure on and Aveley had to keep it to the single goal at half time.

However, their fate was sealed when Junior Appiah was sent off for a second yellow card.

As the second half began, Aveley needed to come and impose themselves on the game and give Jordan Cox more support.

And Aveley did come alive. In the 53rd minute, they had a fair shout for a penalty when was downed in the box. The referee dismissed their claims. A free kick a minute later came to nothing but it signalled a new phase of the game.

In the 54th minute, Albanian Petrit Elbi was found in space on the left hand side, picked his spot and blasted it past the Maldon keeper.

This was a cracking play-off match. Sheldon Sellears ran the length of the pitch in a solo run that saw his shot fended away for a corner.

The Millermen were on their toes.

Maldon nearly fluked a lead in the 65th minute when a cross by the full back looked like it was drifting out but Robinson got to it and the ball bounced along the dead ball line.

But from nowhere, Maldon regained the lead as a free kick that drifted in was deflected in off an Aveley leg.

Aveley made the brave decision to take off Jordan Cox and they started to take some risks. Junior Dadson came on as they decided to throw the sink at Maldon.

But for all their effort, Maldon took control of the last ten minutes as the extra man proved an advantage.

In the 85th minute, Elbit again went close with a flicked header.

There was a liberal sprinkling of yellow cards after an ugly goalmouth melee.

Aveley produced one more attack with a corner but it ended badly as the Millers keeper had come up. Maldon threw the ball out and Lee Boylan was able to pick his spot and place the ball into an empty net.

The result should not deflect from a fine fine season by Aveley who passed many people’s expectations. They will no doubt come back stronger next season.

Aveley: Giddens, Sellears, Blake, Leader, Thomas, Hopkins, Stevenson, Holland (c), Cox, Elbi, Appiah

Subs: Nesbitt, Rose, Read, Burnett, Dadson

Maldon and Tiptree: Wright, Everett, Cawley, Berquez, Golby (c), Johnson, Robinson, Dark, Ellue, Boylan, Gardner

Reports from www.pitchero.com/aveley

AVELEY ended the season with a brilliantly entertaining 3-3 draw away at Soham Town Rangers and now look forward to Maldon in the play-off semi-final.

Alex Read – who had missed a hatful on Wednesday night – opened the scoring with Aveley’s first attack, getting on the end of a rebounded effort from Junior Dadson, but a well-worked goal from Robbie Mason levelled just before the hour mark.

On half time Andre Foster brought down James McCabe in the area and was possibly fortunate not to get sent off before seeing Buster Harradine score from the spot to send the home side in front at the break.

Second half was all Aveley and they got back on level terms quickly when Read got his second of the game from a lovely taken free kick after Petrit Elbi had been brought down and the Millers were back in front when Sheldon Sellears bookended a brilliant team goal curling in on 68 minutes.

The Millers were more than deserving of the three points that would have seen them leapfrog Witham into fourth with them drawing away at Potters Bar but in added on time Soham were awarded another penalty in controversial circumstances which was again converted by Harradine.

With Witham therefore matching Aveley’s result in meant the Millers finished 5th and will now played 2nd placed Maldon & Tiptree in Tuesday’s play-off semi-final.

With both side’s fates this season pretty much sealed all that could have been decided today was who Aveley were to face in the play-off semi-final. That was also dependent on the result between Potters Bar and Witham with Witham just needing to match Aveley’s result to secure 4th spot and a semi-final against Thamesmead.

Buster Harradine was the first to threaten for either side in opening exchanges of this match after being played in wide on the right the Soham number 11 dragged his shot narrowly wide of Andre Fosters goal.

On Wednesday night Aveley did everything but score as Waltham Abbey held firm and Aveley’s Alex Read would have more disappointed than most not to have gotten on the score-sheet after missing a string of chances. That wasn’t the case today as with the Millers first chance of the game he gave them the lead with a chance he couldn’t miss.

A free kick wide on the left, won by Jack Stevenson, was taken by the Aveley number eight before coming straight back to him. Stevenson brought the ball forward before crossing into the box towards Read. Read then played a neat little ball in between the defenders for the on-rushing Junior Dadson who struck at goal but his strike was brilliantly saved by Daniel Bircham. The save counted for nought, though, as the rebound fell kindly for Read who followed up to tap into an empty net to give the away side the lead after 14 minutes.

The home side responded well to the goal and created a half chance through Luke Stanley almost instantly which he dragged wide, just like Harradine had done earlier in the game.

Despite the scare Aveley continued to look threatening going forward, passing the ball around well on a difficult surface. Stevenson had a long distance strike on goal comfortably saved by Bircham and if Dadson’s first touch was a little better he could have had a one on one with the Soham goalie but the ball got away from him.

Other than the dragged shots Soham hadn’t look threatening, but with their first bit of quality they were level thanks to a well-crafted goal finished off by Robbie Mason.

The ball was played out from right to left when Harradine who was lurking unmarked. Paul Burnett had retreated to try and cover the danger but before he could get a challenge in Harradine half-volleyed a perfectly weighted cross into the centre onto the head of Mason whose simple header went past Foster to bring the teams level just before the half hour mark.

With scores still level in the Potters Bar vs Witham game it was a set-back for the Millers in their pursuit for 4th spot, but they almost came up with an immediate riposte but Bradley Thomas was unable to direct his header on target from a Burnett free kick.

Soham had their goalkeeper Bircham to thank for keeping the scores level after Read was played in. The Aveley goal-scorer struck his shot low and hard from the edge of the area but Bircham done well to get down quickly and smother the ball.

Soham’s main threat was coming down the left through Harradine, who it was that set up the equaliser, but it was down the right where their next chance came with good defending from Teddy Nesbitt keeping the home side at bay.

James McCabe was laid the ball off by Stanley with McCabe trying to return the favour playing it back across goal, but it was cut out for a corner by Nesbitt. From the resulting set piece the ball came out to Joe Assemisi at the far post and the left back struck a vicious shot towards goal which game off the outside of the post and back where it came from.

However, right on at the time half time interval the home side did take the lead for the first time from the penalty spot after Foster brought down McCabe in the area.

After getting the wrong side of the Aveley defence McCabe rounded Foster with ease before hitting the deck. It was a simple decision to give for the referee and Foster will feel lucky to have only gotten a yellow card for his troubles. Harradine stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way, sending his side into the break with a lead.

The second half saw the introduction of Petrit Elbi for Marcus Rose in midfield and he made in immediate impact drawing a foul from Martin Bromwich in a central position. After some patching up work on the Aveley number 12 to stop his nose from bleeding Read stepped up to take the resulting free kick.

The strike curled around the wall perfectly and went past Bircham before he could change direction and the Millers were back on level terms within ten minutes of the second half.

It was a cracking start from the Millers who were trying to avoid successive defeats and they almost turned it right round when Dadson, with his back to goal, spun well and struck the foot of the post just three minutes after Read had equalised.

Aveley were really turning the screw and Elbi was once again involved as a back heel from him found Dadson in the area. The Aveley winger opened his body up to strike across goal but it took a deflection taking it away for a corner.

Bircham was being kept extremely busy by the Millers, first being forced into tipping over from a Sheldon Sellears wayward cross which was on target before kicking a Gbenga Sonuga chance off the line form the resulting corner, when a better connection surely would have meant Aveley back in front.

It looked to be only a matter of time before the Millers retook the lead and a perfectly worked team goal was finished off by Sellears with 68 minutes on the clock to final take home all that pressure they had been building.

Dadson started the move, doing brilliantly well to skip past two challenges on the left hand touchline.

After bringing the ball in-field the number 11 found Read on the edge of the area who laid the ball across to Burnett who in turn laid the ball back to Sellears who had come up to support him. The move got the finish it deserved as the right back struck the ball first time, across goal and curling away from Bircham, nestling into the bottom corner.

As we headed into the final ten minutes Aveley were sitting in 4th position with Witham now losing at Potters Bar, but their immediate concern was getting a four goal which would have secured the points.

Of the two sides they were by far the most threatening, but after Sellears goal they hadn’t made Bircham make a save and – like Waltham Abbey on Wednesday night – all it took was one chance to bring Soham back level again.

It would have been cruel luck if a Soham equaliser had come from a wicked deflected effort from John-Paul Duncliffe, but his effort looped up and just over the bar and from the resulting set piece Harradine chanced his arm from distance but that also went over.

With Witham finding an equaliser it meant that a late goal for Soham would have dropped Aveley back into fifth place.

Strangely, three minutes into added on time the referee indicated there would be two minutes of additional time, but in the fifth of those two (or maybe it was three plus two) the referee awarded a penalty when Mason hit the deck after minimal contact from Marcus Rose. The referee bought it, without hesitation giving the home side a second penalty.

Harradine once more stepped up and although Foster went the right way the power took it past the goalkeeper and into the corner to tie up this thoroughly entertaining game of football with the last kick of the game.

After the match Justin Gardner said “I’ve said to the ref if that decision cost us a play-off place what would you say and he said “I’m not bothered”, that’s the kind of referee’s we’ve got to put up with – no respect and appreciation for what we’re trying to do.”

He continued by saying “at the same time it’s probably worked out best for us because Thamesmead are a bit of bogey team for us this season so if you were to ask me who I would prefer to face out of Thamesmead or Maldon it would be Maldon.”

Regarding the rest of the match Gardner said “going forward I thought we were back to our best today, defensively I don’t (think we were at our best) but we’ve changed the defensive today, rested Jay Leader…end of the day it’s the last game of the season and we’ve not lost”.

“We go into the play-offs with a bit of confidence because we’ve played well going forward” concluded Gardner.

Aveley: Andre Foster, Sheldon Sellears (Danny Hopkins 86’), Teddy Nesbitt, Gbenga Sonuga (c), Bradley Thomas (Petrit Elbi 46’), Marcus Rose, Ade Cole (Junior Appiah 78’), Jack Stevenson, Alex Read, Paul Burnett, Junior Dadson

Att: 45

By Nathan Douglas

TILBURY made an inspiring comeback beating Ilford 3-2 in their last game of the season at home in an incredible match that saw dreadful weather conditions.

The match started off slowly as both sides appeared to be feeling each other out. The first real chance came after 14 minutes as Tilbury’s Conor Mead found Emiel Aiken but he was unable to find the back of the net as his shot was struck wide of the Ilford goalpost.

Ilford were forced to do more defending just 3 minutes later after Tom Wraight appeared to be through on goal however the Ilford goalkeeper was able to meet Wraight before he could take his second touch and the ball was scrambled out by the Ilford defence. Ilford showed they were also a goal threat, just minutes later when Sope Lawal’s effort was cleared off the line after Mursal Ibrahimouich’s initial shot was saved.

21 minutes into the match and the weather took a turn for the worse going from rain to hail. Aiken had another chance at goal 25 minutes in however his shot was once again saved, and the game began to slow down once more as the hail continued to fall.

Tilbury had another opportunity to take the lead at the 35 minute mark when Aiken found Danny Francis on the edge of the penalty box; Francis made a nice turn beating the Ilford defender but placed the ball just wide.

The first goal of the match came just 2 minutes later as Ibrahimouich’s cross was met by a stunning volley from Chinedu Mckenzie blasting the ball into the top left corner putting the away team ahead after 37 minutes.

The early part of the second half saw both teams creating minor chances and saw Ilford make their first substitution replacing Nyradeen Kallon with Sean Nyagsungo. An hour into the match and Tilbury started pushing for the equaliser forcing Ilford to defend numerous attacks and made their first substitution bringing on Aaron Matthews for Gary Hently 60 minutes in followed 5 minutes later with the introduction of Rimmel Daniel for Tom Wraight. The weather conditions were clearly affecting play at this point causing the ball to bounce inconsistently around the pitch.

After only 6 minutes of game time under his belt Daniel was brought down in the penalty box and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Aaron Waters stepped up to take the penalty placing it just beyond Robert Hatton’s reach levelling the score at 1 goal apiece 71 minutes in. The Home side’s celebration was cut short however as just 1 minute later Chinedu Mckenzie scored his second goal of the match putting Ilford in the driving seat once again at 2-1. Tilbury made their final substitution bringing on Ben Crooks for Conor Mead.

Nevertheless Tilbury continued to fight and their persistence paid off as Emiel Aiken’s low cross set up Aaron Matthews for the easy finish in front of goal equalising for a second time in the 82nd minute bringing the score to 2-2. The goal seemed to have inspired the home side as they continued to put pressure on the Ilford defence and earned themselves a corner in the 89th minute. The home crowd was buzzing as Aaron Waters walked over to the corner flag to take the corner as they realised this could have been the last chance to win the match. Waters kick didn’t even need to find a team mate as it curled straight into the back of the net directly from the corner for the second time this season, putting Tilbury in front for the first time in the match and with just one minute of regular time to play.

Ilford did their best to make a push for the equaliser following the announcement of 3 minutes added time but they were unable to break down Tilbury’s solid defence giving Tilbury the win in their last game of the season finishing them 9th in the league. The result for Ilford confirmed relegation with a bottom place finish.

Team: Marrable, Mead (Crooks 76), Waters, Gillman, Nightingill, Henty (Matthews 60), Francis, Blackman, Aiken, Cutler, Wraight (Daniel 65)

Subs not used: Edwards

Thurrock 0 v 4 Metropolitan Police

Bill Robinson reports from Ship Lane………..

A DISAPPOINTING last game for Thurrock although safe from relegation they were looking for three points to give themselves a respectable position in the table, as it turned out the defeat leaves them just above the relegation zone.

Met Police took the lead in the seventeenth minute after Thurrock had won a corner,

Not sure what the plan was for the corner, but the ball was played out towards the edge of the Police box only for Jay Lovett to collect and run thirty yards or so with the ball before sending the ball out wide to the left for David Knight, he took on the defender and sent over the perfect cross for Lovett who had continued his run and headed neatly passed Viner in the Thurrock goal, a splendid goal to score a poor one to concede.

HT 0-1

Within 3 minutes of the restart Thurrock should have gone level when a cross from the right by Ben Smith found Lewwis Spence unmarked just six yards from goal, but his header went inches the wrong side of the post.
Just minutes later Thurrock where punished for that error when the visitors doubled their lead in the 52nd minute, a thro ball from Billy Crook found David Knight running onto it and from 12yards out he slide home a neat finish

Then just five minutes later Knight added another from just two yards out, under pressure from the Police attack the ball was cleared out wide on the right but the ball was sent straight back into the danger area where David Knight was unmarked for a simple tap in.

Just Before the end Met Police added a fourth, they won a corner on the left it was partially cleared but fell to substitute Alan Tait and with his back to goal simply flicked the ball over his shoulder and the heads of the defenders and keeper to make it four.

Team Will Viner, Ritchie Jone, Mark Onyemah, Jack Jefferies, Matt Turpin, Stuart Thurgood, Danny Green, Lewwis Spence, Ben Smith, Charlie Stimson, Darren Ebsworth.

Whitehawk 1 v 0 East Thurrock United

A CHARLIE Henry goal two minutes from time earned Whitehawk victory in a match East Thurrock dominated for long periods but they were unable to force a breakthrough reports the Thurrock Enquirer.

With the home side alrady crowned champions and Rocks secure in a play-off place, this was always likely to be a low key affair but nevertheless was an entertaining encounter, with both sides showing plenty of commitment.

The glaring disappointment was the performance of referee Jason Richardson who produced an afternoon of baffling and inconsistent decisions, the most controversial being not to award East Thurrock a first half penalty which should also have seen the dismissal of home keeper Chris Winterton.

It came 15 minutes into a game that Rocks had started much the better, with David Bryant nicking the ball and going forward in a race with teammate James Lawson who got to a striking position first and Winterton tipped the ball round the post.

Whitehawk’s response was a fluent attack which ended with the ball at the feet of the dangerous Michael Malcom but he blazed high over the bar.

More Rocks pressure led to the controversial incident when L’hereaux Menga chased down a long ball. Winterton looked favourite to get it but slipped and missed the ball but his impetus took him into Menga who was clearly brought down.

It was as blatant a penalty as you would ever see bur Mr Richardson and his assistant Mark Tweed totally abdicated their responsibility, to the amazement of virtually everyone else in the ground, including the Whitehawk officials who could barely conceal their delight.

The rest of the half saw Rocks have the lion’s share of possession but they were unable to create a clear opening.

The second half was much closer with few real chances, the best falling to kye Ruel 15 minutes from time but having been set up in a wide position he fired his shot across the face of goal.

More bizarre and inconsistent decisions by Mr Richardson baffled players and fans alike but it looked as if things would end all square until a magnificent ball down the line set James Fraser free and he squared across the face of goal where fellow sub Henry had the simplest task of tapping in.

It was tough on the visitors but they were confirmed in the play-off zone on goal difference despite Met Police’s 4-0 win at Thurrock and now set their sights on a semi-final at Lowestoft on Wednesday.

Grays Ath 0 v 2 Waltham Abbey

A TIRED Grays Athletic lost 5-3 to a spirited Waltham Abbey at the final game of the season at the Rush Green Stadium.

Grays had nothing to prove and in many ways, the result will act as a leveller when they return to prepare for the new season in a couple of months.

What people will remember is the presentation ceremony as skipper Lee Flynn lifted the trophy. The players wore t-shirts with the words THANK YOU..No 1 Fans emblazoned upon them. It illustrated the bond between fans and team that has seen them through the last three seasons.

As for the game…

It was Abbey who had the first chance of the game after a poor Lee Flynn back-pass was pounced upon by Ayrton Coley but the ever-reliable keeper, Lamar Johnson was quick to clear.

In the 6th minute, Leon Lalite put a neat pass through to Jack West. West was clear but put the ball straight at keeper Jake Whinchup.

Abbey had a great chance to score after James Pegram skipped across the front of the box, slid the ball to Coley but he blasted the ball wide.

The winds got up and that was good news for Lee Flynn who was putting fade and curve into his free kicks.

But after a dull spell it was the Abbey who opened the scoring with a stunning thirty yard strike by James Pegram.

Grays needed to move up a couple of gears if they were to maintain their winning run and they had further problems when Abbey’s Dean Green put them 2-0 up.

The second half began poorly as Grays just looked like they had run out of steam after a long long season. And it got worse as Dean Green smashed the ball home from close range to make it 3-0.

Amazingly, Grays hit back. And in the space of ten minutes got back level with goals from Joao Carlos, Danny Bunce and Junior Baker.

But it was not to be as Abbey stretched away again. Keeper, Lamar Johnson got himself sent off for a silly lunge.

But nothing could dampen the celebrations afterwards.

Referee: Paul Yates

Grays Athletic: Johnson L, Pope C, Baker J, Kirby R, Flynn L, Lalite L, Beaney K (Hall J 46), Bunce D, Carlos J (Small J 75), West J, Hammond J (Sweeney J 70).

Subs not used: East D, Marshall L,

Waltham Abbey: Whincup J, Daveney J, Barnes B, Bedford M, Sargent C, Pearman J, Pegram J, Bruno T, Coley A, Green D, Bristow L.

Subs not used: Nash C, Cancar M, Laxton T, Igoki C, Ogunkoya K

East Thurrock United 1 v 0 Hastings United

ANOTHER thoroughly professional performance as East Thurrock beat Hastings Unitd 1-0 at Rookery Hill saw the Rocks virtually seal a place in the play offs.

The victory by Kye Ruel goal means only an improbable win for Met Police against Thurrock on Saturday by over fifteen goals can stop them taking their place next week in what is another great landmark for the top team in the borough.

The game got off to a skitterish start, with both clubs, for different reasons, keen to make the first impression.

The first chance of the game came through a beautiful sweeping move as Sam Higgins flew forward with Sam Collins but the Rocks couldn’t produce a good enough shot.

Hastings made a solid start but kept getting hustled off the ball.

The Rocks were finding the gaps. A beautiful through ball was just ahead of Kye Ruel as it seemed just a matter of time before Rocks scored.

In the 19th minute, Sam Higgins got in front of his marker to produce a snap header that the Hastings keeper, Daniel East did well to fend away.

But the deadlock came in the 29th minute when the ball fell loose in the box, Kye Ruel kept his eye in to half volley the Rocks into the lead.

Hastings fought back and went close when striker fired over from close range.

David Bryant was giving the Hastings defence the most trouble and forced a number of corners.

The Rocks final attack of the half was a sweeping move that came to nothing but perhaps signficantly, five of the Hastings players decided not to track back and not cover the break.

Hastings came out for the second half with a little more gusto as relegation stared them in the face.

Sam Higgins had a goal chalked off for offside and an Adrian Clifton header was put away for a corner.

In the 51st minute, David Bryant again burst into the area but his shot was well parried away by the Hastings keeper.

Rocks had another glorious chance to put the game beyond doubt when the ball was screamed across the Hastings defence but Sam Higgins just couldn’t get clean contact from a yard out.

Hastings fought back and earned another corner that Elliot Justham did well to punch away but there clearly wasn’t a plan B and it was a shame to see a team that had reached the third round of the FA Cup slowly fade to the Ryman Div One South.

Having said that, they have a great support and a lovely set up and will surely be back soon.

The Rocks took their foot off the gas as they started to eye a remarkable achievement in a place in the play-offs.

The Rocks go to Whitehawk on Saturday and most likely to travel to Lowestoft for the play-off semi-final.

Att: 242

East Thurrock United Justham E, Sammons R, Stephen T, Peddie S, Sheehan S, Parmenter R, Ruel K, Clifton A, Higgins S, Bryant D, Collins S

Subs not used: Menga A, Lawson J Wood B, Keith J, Barnes

East Thurrock 2 v 0 Harrow Borough

EAST Thurrock could, and probably should, have won this Ryman Premier clash by the proverbial country mile, but their performance and indeed the whole reason for the best season in the club’s history was encapsulated in the last 20 seconds of the match when the determination not to concede overshadowed everything else reports The Thurrock Enquirer.

With 90 minutes gone and the game won, Rocks fullback Tom Stephen raced fully 40 yards to make a clearance deep in his own box. Nothing special you might think but the young man, who has played in 47 of Rocks’ 50 games this season not only played last Saturday but warmed up for this encounter by completing the London Marathon in a remarkable three hours 51 minutes as a tribute to his grandmother.

His clearance went for a corner and when Harrow slung in a ‘Hail Mary’ cross keeper Elliot Justham pushed the ball onto the bar and in the scramble that followed three Rocks players threw their bodies in the path of fierce strikes at goal. The ball was beaten away time after time before ref Jonathan Pickford blew for time to spark a low key celebration.

Low key because Rocks know their job is still not yet done. With a massively superior goal difference to Met Police and four more points than Canvey Island, East Thurrock require one win from their remaining games at home to relegation-threatened Hastings on Thursday or at newly crowned champions Whitehawk on Saturday.

A positive result in either of those games cannot be taken for granted given the high stakes, but who would bet against one more successful gambit from the side that have crept under the radar with 11 wins and four draws in a stunning unbeaten run through March and April?

Tuesday’s game was a bit of a strange affair, decided by two goals which both came three minutes into either half.
The first came when Ryan Sammons delivered a fine free kick to the near post and Sam Higgins stooped to head his 20th goal of a campaign truncated by injury and the second three minutes into the second when he showed great bravery to head in at the far post from Sammy Collins’ excellent cross.

Aside from the late scramble in their own box, there was just one moment of real anxiety for Rocks. That came just before the half time break when Charles Ofusu-Hene burst through the backline to get on the end of a long ball and he looked odds on to score but Justham made himself huge and parried away the Harrow man’s close range shot.

Aside from that, virtually all the goalmouth action was in and around the visitors’ box with a catalogue of missed opportunities for Rocks to chalk up a massive victory.

Soon after his first goal Higgins ought to have created another for several teammates but as they waited for a pass to tap into a gaping net the striker showed the selfishness of the predator and tried to cap a great run by forcing the ball past Dave Gregory, only to be foiled by the keeper.

Other half chances came and went in a one-sided first half and the Rocks onslaught didn’t stop in the second.

After Higgins had completed his brace he turned provider with an exquisite defence-splitting pass for David Bryant who was denied by Gregory’s brave save, though the on-rushing Kye Ruel should have buried the rebound instead of lashing it over the bar.

Higgins then showed rare profligacy by blazing an angled shot high and wide after a fine pass from Collins but in the end the wasted chances didn’t matter and if the defining memory of this game will be the last seconds defensive commitment rather than the attacking dominance, that is no insult to the team spirit that has served the Rookery Hill side so well this season.

Heybridge Swifts 1 v 2 Grays Athletic

THERE were two centuries to celebrate at Heybridge Swifts on Tuesday, though only one team was in the mood to do so. That was Ryman North champions Grays Athletic, who reached 102 points with their 2-1 victory.

Heybridge’s goal made them the first team in the Ryman Leaguue to reach the 100 mark but the defeat means that they are out of the play-off race after hitting a patch of poor form at just the wrong time.

Joao Carlos gave Grays the lead a minute before the interval and Luke Callander replied shortly after the restart, his 33rd league goal – seven more than anyone else in the three divisions.

Grays went in front again in the 52nd minute through Jack West and that ended the scoring.

Witham moved back into fourth place with a 2-0 home win over Brentwood Town. Sam Taylor gave them the lead with an intended cross five minutes after the break and James Stevens made sure with the last kick of the match eight minutes into added time.

That result, coupled with Heybridge’s defeat, means that Witham and Aveley have booked the last two play-off spots.

Both will be away in the semi-finals, though who visits Maldon and who travels to Thamesmead will not be decided until Saturday.