THIS was an important game for both teams lying 3rd and 4th in East Division 8 South East. From the start the game was played at high tempo with both teams having chances. Midway through the first half the skilful Saffron Walden forward weaved through the Thurrock defence and as keeper Danny Hick came out to narrow the angle, he slipped it into the net.
Within minutes a shot by Fleming was saved by the keeper but Dave Everett seized on the rebound to level the score. Southend worked hard and drove forward in numbers to reclaim the lead however strong tackling by Declan Salmon backed up by a string of outstanding saves by Danny Hick kept them out. A hit out by Salmon was quickly moved up the field by Josh Brody who then passed to Jimmy Venus whose dribbled through the defence before hitting a shot from the edge of the area which left the keeper rooted to the spot.
With Thurrock’s run of injuries taking its toll on first team players and Crostyx heavily strengthening their second team this was always going to be a tight game. Thurrock started the brighter of the two teams having some excellent chances but the striking trio of Matt Gaut, Christian Jenkins and returning Captain Steve Abbott just could not convert them. As the game went on Crostyx became stronger and won two short corners and converted them both to put the home side 2–0 up. Thurrock finished the first half under pressure but Gary Ginsburgh, Tommy Ing and Luke Danbrook stayed strong to hold out until half time.
Despite heavy pressure, the Thurrock defence held strong to maintain the lead up to half time. A reorganisation by the home side led to them attacking strongly and equalising after 10 minutes. Buoyed by their success, Colchester dominated the game and Thurrock were forced to defend in numbers with Danny Hick having to pull off a number of athletic saves. Thurrock gradually worked their way back into the game and Josh Brody made a break on the left before crossing into the D to Venus whose shot went inches wide.
The game started with both teams hitting each other on the counter attack with the Tee’s free flowing passing coming from Dan O’Shaughnessy, Ben Knowles, Sandeep Gahir and Andre Rudder feeding the front three of Matt Gaut, Christian Jenkins & Mike Murray.
Thurrock travelled to second in the league Witham as underdogs but with an early hattrick from Sandeep Gahir gave Thurrock a first half lead of 3-0. In the first 10 minutes of the second half Kyle Taylor scored a quick double to give the visitors a 5-0 lead. Witham hit back hard and finally found a way through but Matt Gaut then scored again for Thurrock to restore the five goal lead. Two consolation goals for the home side restored a bit of pride.
Thurrock weathered the onslaught and Gary Venus moved the ball up the field before passing out to Smith who quickly slipped the ball for Fleming to get his second goal. With 10 minutes to go Thurrock had the smell of victory in their nostrils and pushed forward. Unfortunately a quickly taken free hit by Phoenix led to a breakaway and a three-man attack.
Phoenix made the most of a two on one situation early on in the second period to take the lead, but it was Thurrock who controlled the play for the majority of the half. The midfield quartet of Hewing, Jordan Salmon, Dan O’Shaughnessy and Jeff West were winning the ball back every time Phoenix tried to clear their lines, but Ash Snell up front, on for the injured Millane, and Higgins couldn’t find a way past the excellent visiting goalkeeper.
Thurrock pushed forward from the start of this Division 8SE game but went behind after only five minutes following a breakaway by Upminster. The home side doubled their score soon afterwards from a well-taken short corner which beat keeper Dave Leeks. Thurrock were stirred into action and Matthew Skinner made a run on the left wing before passing to Ricky Smith who hammered the ball into the D for Josh Brady to score from close range.
Turning defence into attack, man of the match Hewing powered forward over the half way line before spotting Michael Murray in front of the keeper. A 40 yard pass straight to Murray’s stick still left last season’s top scorer with plenty to do, but with one touch the ball found it’s way past the stranded goalie and nestled in the bottom corner. An early contender for goal of the season, and just one of four for Murray.
Thurrock’s heads did not go down and just before half time Matt Gaut’s persistent run created an opening for debutant Ross Austin to slap home to once again even the score line 2-2 and this is how it stayed going into the half time team talk.
Thurrock Ladies I had a good result beating Sevenoaks IV by two goals to nil. The first goal was scored by Tessa Ing from a short corner and the second was via an excellent pass from Louise Pike to Alison Bonner who shot at the top of the D straight into the goal! Keeper Lauren Marshall had made her debut in goal for the Firsts and with the solid defence of Parrott, Ellis and White, kept the Sevenoaks team at bay. The midfield took control and stopped the opposition from attacking and breaking down their play with Natalie Beardwell playing really well on the left.
Thurrock Mens 1st team lined up against Crostyx II without their captain Steve Abbott recovering from a vital early season operation, however this did not stop the team romping to victory over challenging opposition.They started with purpose bagging three goals in the first 10 minutes. Matty Gaut bagging a brace and one from man of the match Christian Jenkins.
…and the ladies repay the compliment. Tees went into the second game of the season on a high after beating East London at home 1-0. This weeks game was played in 29 degree heat and with some pace, with both teams defending off the counter attacks. However it was Brentwood that drew first blood by slotting it past Man of the Match Andy Gaut in goal and that’s how it ended at halftime.
Thurrock went into the season with a new coach and new players to the first team squad, also with a few players out through injury. Thurrock started quick off the blocks attacking the opposition with some fluid passing, although the visitors hit back with some great play of their own forcing Man of the Match Andy Gaut to make some fine saves. The tees and the visitors traded blows right the way to half time.
The game started with T’s applying immediate pressure and this spurred on the ladies to completely believe in themselves. Early pressure resulted in Miriam Nicholls setting up a great goal for captain Tessa Ing to hammer home. The second goal came from set play where Sally Ellis was on hand to pick up from yet another fine shot from Ing.
With the opening game of the season just one week away, the men were far from full strength, even having to draft in some old faces, so to not only beat newly their newly promoted opponents, but to beat them convincingly, showed just how far the club has progressed in the last year or so.
LAST Saturday at their Come & Try Day, Thurrock Hockey Club proudly displayed their new look for the coming season. Thanks to sponsorship from Millane Contract Services Ltd the club were able to supply every player with a complete set of kit in the club colours of black and amber. As there are over 100 players it is one that the club is pleased to receive. Millane Ltd are a local company based in Basildon with new offices in Great Portland Street and are a multi-discipline roofing, building and maintenance company covering London and the South of England.
The coming season could be one of the most important for over a decade. Both of the promoted teams will be fighting to stay up in their new divisions, while the thirds will be hoping that they can get their second promotion in three seasons.
Only a defeat to bottom of the league Clacton and a swing of 22 goals would prevent Thurrock from clinching the NE14 Hockey Div6 title, but the 2s were unstoppable on Saturday at Palmer’s. At half time the score was 8-0, and with the prospect of a plus 100 goal difference on the cards, the Tees never let up.
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.
Thurrock are now promoted to Division 2 South for the first time in nearly 30 years. Coach Andre Rudder said “Steve Abbott has been an excellent captain bringing the best out of his team. It has been a fantastic year for Thurrock Men’s hockey with both the Firsts and Seconds being crowned champions.
Thurrock started the game with a new formation that worked straight away with some great play from the whole team. A great ball from Andre Rudder to striker Steven Abbot allowed him flick the ball past the goal keeper. Tee’s next goal come from Nick Sheard who hit the ball into the bottom corner.
With a disappointing first 10 minutes Saffron Walden broke through the defence and put a soft goal past T’s goalkeeper. Thurrock being 3-0 down at half time was not the best postion they had been in all season. The pressure eased off slightly when Matt Gaut deflected home Thurrock’s first goal of the match, and applied some pressure playing some good hockey, but the strikers just could not find the back of the net.
