WANT to try a new sport? A sport with speed, team work and a family atmosphere? Then give hockey a go. Thurrock Hockey Club has it’s annual Club Day on Saturday (April 13th) @ Palmer’s Sports and Fitness Centre.
ON an extrememly cold and snowy March afternoon, Thurrock made thier way to Palmers to play a struggling Havering side who were lookin for the win to stay in the league…that didn’t happen! Havering started the game and within the first minute Jak Taylor stole the ball from the defender, ran towards the D and spotted the captain Steven Abbott at the back post who calmly slotted it in to an open goal.
THURROCK started this match with only 10 men and were behind after only three minutes as Colchester attacked in force. Once at full strength, Thurrock held the visitors and moved the ball up the pitch, however a strong Colchester defence cut out the threat and forced Thurrock backwards.
A well-practiced short corner routine resulted in two more goals to Colchester by half time. Thurrock revised their formation in the second half with Neil Donovan moving to centre forward and this allowed Luke Strudwick to make a series of runs up the wing and centre the ball for Olu Akinwande to force the keeper into some last-minute saves.
A LONG trip down to Colchester to play a high flying Essex University side who were pushing for promotion for the top team in Thurrock. Unfortunately a break down of communication resulted in Thurrock having to dig through the complete shambles of a boot that is Jordan Salmon’s car to find the training bibs because no one mentioned that Essex Uni play in black also!
With no recognised keeper, youngster Luke Strudwick volunteered to don the kit. The home take had the first push back and attacked strongly, however defender Neil Donovan made a timely tackle and quickly moved the ball up for Dave Everett to beat two players before passing to Michael Fleming to dribble into the area and hammer the ball past the keeper for the lead after 10 minutes.
A few chances for both sides lead to some hairy moments but Thurrock drew first blood. A short corner was awarded and it finally paid off! after weeks of messing up short corner after short corner…one finally went in! Kyle Taylor dragged out firmly to his brother Jak Taylor who pushed it slightly into the D where Tommy Ing stepped up and fired home through the legs of the Southend Keeper. 1-0 to Thurrock.
Thurrock continued to have the majority of the ball after the break and Akinwande soon extended their lead by converting a pass by Luke Strudwick. A long range shot from Redbridge should have been easily cleared, however, a defender was caught in possession and the ball was smashed into the back of the net. From the restart, Akinwande dribbled up the field before finding Michael Fleming on the edge of the D who rounded the keeper before shooting into the goal. Thurrock continued to have the majority of possession but increasingly found their passes going astray.
AGAINST a strong Wapping team, were under heavy pressure from the start and defenders Ethan Pinion, Chris Smith and George McAllister had to work hard. Gradually Thurrock got into the game and the midfield of Tom Archer, Ricky Smith, Mat Skinner, George Horgan and Jo Harvey performed some slick passes to move the ball up the pitch and threaten the home side.
The game started well for the home side who took control pretty much across the pitch especially down the centre where East London played their strongest players. About 10 minutes in, a lucky bouncing cross found its way to the East London forward who quite spectacularly managed to hit the ball in the air whilst running away from goal, on the reverse, which found the backboard. Thurrock didn’t let their heads go down however, and took more control after the stand-in captain Nick Stapleton made a tactical change and put 3 into the centre to strengthen the midfield. This worked well as East London were forced to attack down the wings which the Thurrock defence were more than equal to.
Thurrock started the game strongly and Michael Fleming was unlucky to see his shot go inches wide after collecting a pass from Matthew Skinner and dribbling past three defenders. Thurrock maintained their effort and forced the visitors to defend in numbers.
THURROCK turned up nice and early ready for a good warm up and a confident start…the first bit went well…the second not so much! The game started OK for Thurrock with some good chances but nothing clear. It was Redbridge that took the lead around 10 minutes into the game when Thurrock’s defence lacked a little composure and Redbridge managed to squeeze the ball under Andy Gaut.
AFTER eight weeks, Thurrock returned to action in Div.7SE against a strong Clacton team which is pushing for promotion. In the early stages, it was the home team who played the better hockey and forced the visitors into defence. Michael Fleming was unlucky not to score when his shot which beat the keeper, shaved the outside of the post off a defender’s stick.
THURROCK 1st XI travelled to Braintree to face a strong Phoenix team for the rearranged fixture which was called off previously after a waterlogged pitch. So soon after the Christmas break meant that quite a few regular 1st team players were unavailable which gave a couple of the 2nd XI their chance to shine. Up stepped Jeff West making his 2012/13 season debut and also Sam Webb coming in for some defensive cover.
AFTER a four week break, Thurrock played a friendly against their local rivals in preparation for the restart of the East League next week. The game flowed from end to end with both teams having chances but neither being able to convert. After thirty minutes, Brentwood were awarded a series of short corners which keeper Danny Hick dealt with well until a shot was deflected into the net from close range to give the home team the lead.
Thurrock 1st XI have had an up and down season so far with long spells of great results and then a poor spell towards the Christmas break. The new look Thurrock side had drafted in a few new players in particular the goalkeeper Danny Hik who was looking to cement his place in the top team in the club and also Kyle Taylor’s twin brother Jak Taylor who had finished University after achieving a 1st and signed up to join forces with his brother.
The last league game before the Christmas break and Thurrock found themselves travelling to Upminster to face their 2nd XI who are currently struggling at the wrong end of the table. Thurrock needed the 3 points to stay within reach of the top teams and also wanted a good win to celebrate on when the wallys descended on Southend! Thurrock bowled up an hour before pushback for a good warm up inside and out of the changing rooms as it was yet again freezing!
ON one of the coldest days of the winter so far, everyone had expectations of the game being cancelled for the second time in two weeks, but the call was made by the captain Steven Abbott to get down to Palmers College with a good attitude and the will to win.
THURROCK held firm until the 15th minute when a mis-hit shot deflected across the line. The home team were spurred on by the goal and quickly added a second from a short corner. From the restart, Michael Fleming dribbled through and drew the keeper before passing to Lawrence Jackson whose shot went inches wide. Soon afterwards a solo run by Ricky Smith led to a shot which the in-form keeper deflected over the bar.
AFTER two defeats against two of the stronger sides in Division 5, the 2s needed a win against mid table rivals Old Southendians to revive their slim promotion hopes. The Old Boys were put under pressure from the off, thanks to a high energy display by Jordan Salmon in centre midfield, and Olu Akinwande keeping possession in the away side’s D, forcing the defenders to concede penalty corners.
Thurrock started brightly in this SE Division 3 home encounter against a physical university team and scored inside 10 minutes from a penalty corner converted by Tommy Ings. The away team put Tees under immediate pressure but found it hard due to some good saves from goal keeper Danny Hick and the defence of Tommy Ing, Andy Sargeant and Luke Danbrook. Tees had a handful of chances to extend the lead but squandered many due to sloppy hockey including poor passing.
THIS was a hard fought match against a team that lead division 7 SE having only suffered one defeat. The visitors attacked from the first whistle and Thurrock’s defence had to work hard to withstand the pressure. After 10 minutes Witham got the lead their efforts deserved from a short corner which crept inside the post.
THE Lakeside Hammers are delighted to reveal that their Arena Essex venue will be home to the Hagon Shocks Academy in the UK.
The Academy, the second in the world with the original being based in California USA, provides an opportunity for would be speedway riders to take to the track with all equipment provided, along with full guidance and tuition as they take their first steps into the sport. Based at the brand new 180 metre track built specifically for this venture at the eastern end of the Raceway site, open sessions will begin in the New Year and will run throughout the season.
A large crowd had gathered at the side of the pitch to watch and the whistle was blown for push-back. The game started quite evenly with both teams having their spells of good possession and chances to score. First blood was key and Thurrock were piling on the pressure. midway through the half, some good work down the left resulted in a short corner. Thurrock struggled to get the ball in the net and were pinned back by a resilient Southend defence. Each chance resulted in another short corner and finally on the third or fourth attempt, the ball was missed (accidently on purpose by Jak Taylor!) which fell to Christian Jenkins backing up, who drove into the D and fired home to put the away side into the lead. 1-0 Thurrock.
A rare Redbridge attack was quickly extinguished by Michael Fleming who quickly propelled the ball up the field for Lawrence Jackson to dribble into the D before delivering an inch-prefect pass for Matthew Fleming to beat the keeper for Thurrock’s second goal. Thurrock were making all the play and only some acrobatic saves by the keeper prevented further score.
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