Bill Robinson reports from the Dripping Pan……
A spirited second half performance by Thurrock was just not good enough to earn a point, most people watching would have thought they deserved something from the game but failing to take the few chances that were created has and will continue to be costly.
It was Lewes that came out of the blocks first and were the sharper and first to the ball in most cases, the 600 fans watching were very appreciative to the good football being played by both sides.
Joe Collins was a constant pain in the Lewes defence having one shot go just wide of goal on 15 minutes and then trying to finish off a fine run by Matt Bodkin but his shot from 12 yards was well saved by keeper Chris Winterton.
Thurrock went behind on 25 minutes with a fine diving header from Lewis Ide, a cross came in from the right flank and Ide had plenty of time and space to place the ball in the top left hand corner of the net despite keeper Andre Charles-Foster’s fine effort to try and turn the ball wide.
Thurrock came close to equalising on 37 minutes in a bizarre fashion, with the defence tied up and under pressure the ball was played back to keeper Charles-Foster who appeared to over hit his clearance but as the long ball bounced it was heading goal bound and a desperate and late jump by Winterton had to finger tip the ball over for a corner.
On the stroke of half time another good move by Thurrock involving a twisting run by Lee Roache, his cross created chances for Joe Collins and Conor Okus, both having shots which were blocked, the ball was partially cleared but only to Craig Pope who tried his luck from 22 yards but the ball flew high over the bar.
Just before the hour manager Hakan Hayrettin substituted Reiss Gilbey with Michael Bakare, pushing Collins into centre midfield and leaving Bakare wide on the left.
Thurrock went further behind on 63 minutes when they lost possession in the centre circle, the ball bounced nicely for the Lewes midfielder Simon Wormull who spun and volleyed a once in a life time shot the looped high and over Charles-Foster and into the net from 40 yards.
Thurrock responded in the best way possible with Cliff Akurang netting within sixty seconds to reduce the deficit back down to one. The goal came when a long through pass from midfield found Akurang just on the edge of the Lewes box he was strong enough to hold off the challenging defenders and turned and hit a left footed shot into the corner of the net.
With only minutes remaining Thurrock pushed forward looking for the equaliser, on one such advance a Kenny Clark header thudded against the upright with the Lewes defence ball watching.
But even with an added six minutes Thurrock just could not equalise despite a brave and spirited effort. Manager Hakan Hayrettin discussed the performance at the end of the match, whilst disappointed with the result he stated that their were plenty of positive signs that the team are playing well together.
