Bill Robinson reports from Ship Lane……..
Thurrock 0 Dorchester Town 0
So early in the season but this match is the classic six-pointer, Thurrock still yet to win a league game this season and Dorchester one place below and in the relegation zone but on the same points as The Fleet, a vital game for both sides to gain valuable points.
The game was played at a frenetic pace from the off with Thurrock in the ascendancy, but despite all the efforts it was the visitors that took the lead with virtually their first venture into the Thurrock half.
The cross came over from the right and as Ryan Moss challenged Kenny Clark the referee adjudged Clark to have pushed Moss in the back and subsequently awarded a penalty.
Guiseppe Sole strode up to take the penalty sending Keeper Joe Woolley the wrong way to put the visitors in front.
They only held onto the lead for five minutes when Paul Olima’s solid header just crept in under the bar after a cross field ball by Craig Pope found Danny Hart on the left, his cross was driven in and the head of Olima but the ball into the back of the net to put the side’s level.
HT 1-1
The second half continued to be dominated by Thurrock and the game was played predominately in the Dorchester’s half.
Despite having all the possession Thurrock failed to capitalise on heir superiority and the danger signs were there when Dorchester broke as they did look threatening.
On one such break away Phil Anderson had to resort to tugging the attacks shirt which was easily seen by Referee Mr Steve Fitch who awarded Dorchester there second penalty.
Once again Guiseppe Sole stood by the ball ready to take the kick, he went for the same side but this time Woolly guessed correctly and brilliantly turned the ball onto the post and away to safety.
With ninety minutes up on the clock and three minutes of added time to be added Dorchester’s Stuart Douglas was twice denied by the bar, first his shot dropped onto the bar and over for a goal kick and then with just seconds remaining he
shot from inside the box and the ball hit the underside of the bar and somehow kept out of the goal.
At the final whistle the share of the points seemed disappointing for Thurrock as they continue their search for a win but after the last minute scares perhaps Dorchester feel that that should have had all three.
Thurrock: Joe Woolley, Craig Pope, Lee Flynn, Phil Anderson, Kenny Clark, Max Lette-Jallow, Matt Bodkin, Leon Lalite, Paul Olima, Cliff Akurang, Danny Hart.
Subs:, Lee Roache Ryan Stalley, Joe Collins, Gary Neal, Aaron Waters
