Mens Ists
Redbridge & Ilford I 2 – 4 Thurrock I
This win puts Thurrock at the top of the NE14HOCKEY Div. 3 SE table on goal difference from Maldon & Little Baddow scoring just one more goal.
Thurrock’s Men’s first XI went into this fixture knowing it would be a hard fought battle to take all three points with the opposition’s recent results.
The game started with the home side dominating possession and were rewarded with a short corner, which left the Tee’s one nil down.
This prompted the Tee’s into action replying with a short corner of their own through Captain Steven Abbott. This lead to battle for midfield domination which again the home team had the better of, being rewarded with a short corner when after a scrappy few tackles the home side slipped the ball into the side of the goal.
Again Thurrock rallied to level the scores at 2-2 with short corner ace Jacob Agoro scoring and this was how it finished at half time.
After the break the Tee’s came out as the dominate force as they have been in the past few weeks, with Matt Gaut breaking through in midfield and defence to score a single handed goal to lift the Tee’s performance still.
Next was the turn of Matt Leaver to give the Thurrock a two goal cushion going into the final 10 minutes.
The home side hit the Tee’s hard for the last 10 minutes including five short corners in the last five minutes which was well dealt with by Tommy Ing, Jordan Salmon, Luke Danbrook and Man of the Match Andy Gaut.
The Tee’s visit Phoenix next week to build on a fantastic start. Push back 2.30 in Braintree.
Mens II
THURROCK II 9 – 1 UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX II
After a less then attractive win last week, T’s were expecting a tough game from the normally well drilled university side, however this was not the case. Thurrock dominated the game from start to finish, with sharp passing and movement that would not look out of place at the Commonwealth Games.
Thurrock went in at half time 4-0 to the good after goals from Declain Millane, Nick Sheard and Ashley Snell with the Thurrock keeper failing to touch the ball. Things got even better for Thurrock after the break with two quick goals giving them a firm 6-0 foothold in the game.
The University did hit back after defensive error saw the keeper called into action for the first only to see the ball trickle over the line. However this had no impact on the game as Thurrock went on to score another three before the full-time whistle for a comprehensive win. Both Declain Millane and Ashley Snell completing well-earned hat tricks and a goal from Gary Ginsburgh. A win that puts them top of the league and early league contenders.
Next Saturday away to Redbridge & Ilford II at 2.30.
Current league table
Mens III
THURROCK III 3 – 8 SAFFRON WALDEN VI
Thurrock started this NE14HOCKEY Div. 8 SE game strongly and went into the lead after only five minutes when a cross by Jimmy Venus was collected by Tom Tilby who beat the keeper to get his first goal for Thurrock. However their lead did not last long when an attack by Saffron Walden led to a goalmouth melee and the ball was forced over for the equaliser. Saffron Walden reorganised their formation and took control of the midfield keeping Thurrock in their own half.
Two goals in quick succession gave the visitors the lead before Michael Fleming pulled one back from a short corner to make the score 2-3. Despite Thurrock efforts to make headway the well-organised Walden midfield quickly cut out any threat and pressurised Thurrock into defence. In the last five minutes of the half Saffron Walden added two quick goals to make it 2-5 at the break.
The visitors continued the second half in the same vein and left the Thurrock defence chasing shadows as they added two more to their total within 10 minutes. Michael Fleming gave Thurrock some hope when he seized on a through ball from Liam Birch and hammered the ball past the keeper from the edge of the area. Thurrock began to look the stronger side and gained a series of short corners however they were unable to turn their advantage into goals.
In the final minute an attack by Thurrock was cut out and the ball was rapidly sent up the field to the right winger who cut into the D and scored from a narrow angle to compound Thurrock’s woes.
Next Saturday at home to Saffron Walden 7, 2pm pushback
