Thurrock 1sts 1 v 0 Crostyx
Thurrock continued their push for promotion with a gritty hard fought win over Crostyx on Saturday.
Crostyx stared the stronger of the two teams and went 1-0 up after an early penalty corner. This sprung the Thurrock midfield into action with Nick Stapleton, Stephen Edwards and Jonathon Boyd all providing excellent drive forward and it was not long before Matt Gaut continued his scoring run to put the home side back level.
Crostyx continued to push hard, but excellent defence from Jordan Salmon who stepped into the centre back position and man of the match, goalkeeper Keith Mager kept Thurrock on top in the match.
Jacob Agoro put Thurrock ahead after a series of attacking runs that completely overwhelmed a dogged Crostyx defence, before captain Steve Abbott gave his team breathing space by finishing of a fantastic piece of team play.
Crostyx never gave up and fought to get back into the game and without some outstanding saves by Mager they could have easily found themselves right back in the game.
A back injury to veteran Andre Rudder saw the introduction of Michael Murray who added a level of spice into the Thurrock forward line.
Jacob Agoro moved back into the midfield and gave extra penetration to the Thurrock attack with a series of searching flicks over the top. This enabled Murray to find space in amongst the Crostyx defence and thrilled the home fans by celebrating his goal that sealed the game in traditional outlandish Murray fashion.
Thurrock stay in the race for promotion, but need to win again next week against Chelmsford in the final game of the season to have any chance of finishing second in the league. The other promotion challengers East London must win their two outstanding games to get promoted.
Last game of the season away to Chelmsford III, 3.45 start
Thurrock II 4 v 3 Essex University II
Thurrock men were under early pressure from a well organised Essex University team in the NE14Hockey sponsored East Mens Division 6SE and, after the yellow card sin bin sending off of a Thurrock player for abuse to the umpire, the University side took the lead from a short corner, but very quickly still being a man down, Thurrock scored on a fast break, Ben Knowles scoring a solid goal.
Thurrock then took the lead with Jimmy Venus tucking away a trade mark poacher goal. Good defensive work by Michael Hewing, Neil Donovan and Gary Ginsberg almost held the half time score to 2-1, but the University were to level from a short corner.
The second half started with Thurrock taking control and a good break from defence from Hewing and a cutting pass to Kevin Appleyard allowed the up and coming youngster Tom Madden to score a spectaular goal past the University goalkeeper. Tom added to his score very quickly with Liam Appleyard, Venus and Ashley Snell again breaking down the defence.
Essex University managed to pull a goal back following a lapse in concentration. Unfortunately Madden could not finish his day off with a hat-trick after a one on one situation finished with a fantastic save from the opposition keeper.
The season finishes this Saturday away to Romford II at 1.30
Mens III
No game, opposition called game off
Last game of the season this Saturday away to Old de Ferrians II, 12 start
Ladies II
Wapping III 0 – 2 Thurrock Ladies II
Saturday saw the IIs travel to Wapping to play our penultimate game of the season. With a depleted squad of only 11 players the team knew they would have to work hard. After a shaky start we settled down, and with a strong performance in midfield by Meera Sud and Karen Lucking and brilliant defending by Nikki Woodruff we managed to keep much of the possession. Our first goal came from a free hit just outside the 25 yard line. It was taken quickly; dribbled into the circle by Katie Johnston and was clipped into the goal by Ali Bonner. After this we went from strength to strength. A second goal came 10 minutes into the second half with a strong strike from a short corner by Ali Bonner – her second goal of the match. Wapping continued to battle hard but could not get back into the game. We dominated play for the rest of the match with lots of shots on target but unable to convert them. A well earned three points.
This Saturday, home to Redbridge & Ilford, 11 am start
