REDBRIDGE & ILFORD 1 – 2 THURROCK II
After their impressive win last week, Thurrock’s moral was high, however this week’s challenge was made a lot harder through the loss of several key members.
Redbridge started the stronger of the sides and pressed Thurrock’s midfield and defence for the first 15 minutes for no reward, Thurrock then found their feet and produced good positive hockey through Tom Madden, Dec Milane and Matt skinner, this leads to a stage of nine penalty corners for Thurrock. After no reward Tees went into the break 0-1 up thanks to a well placed flick from Dec Milane.
Thurrock continued the pressure after the break, and after a solo run from new boy Jeff west earned another penalty corner, Dec once again stepped up to convert, making it 0-2 and confirming him as the club’s top scorer.
Redbridge applied late pressure and where rewarded with a breakaway goal as Thurrock were caught to high up the field making it 1-2 with three minutes remaining.
Thurrock controlled the remainder of the game to record their fourth win in a row which leaves them joint top of the league.
Man of the Match Barney Knowles said “it was a tough physical game; we battled hard and got the reward we deserved, 3 pts here is always hard to get”
Next week Thurrock play Romford 12.30 push back.
| DIVISION 6SE | |||||||||||||
| Brentwood 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 3 | 18 | 12 | |||||
| Thurrock 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 4 | 12 | 12 | |||||
| Saffron Walden 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 12 | |||||
| Maldon & Little Baddow 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 9 | |||||
Thurrock gained their first win of the season in NE14HOCKEY Div 8 SE. From the start Ts pushed forward and made the Saffron Walden defence work hard. After 20 minutes, a free hit just inside the Thurrock half was pushed on by Tom Tilby to Liam Birch who dribbled around the advancing keeper and gave Thurrock the lead. Saffron Walden reorganised their formation and became the stronger team but the defence marshalled by Rick Clubb held the lead at half time. Within five minutes of the restart Saffron Walden equalised when a run down the right wing produced a string of missed tackles and a ball into the area which was flicked into the net. This galvanised Thurrock into action and they took control of the game. After 55 minutes a shot by Jimmy Venus was stopped by the keeper but Liam Birch was on hand to collect the clearance and add his second goal from close range. Ten minutes later a short corner allowed Birch to pounce on the ball and claim his hat trick. Saffron Walden were not prepared to concede defeat and worked the ball up the field to gain a string of short corners, however Michael Fleming, making his debut in goal, was up to the task and pulled off some outstanding saves to maintain Thurrock’s lead. Thurrock reclaimed the upper hand and a series of passes between Lawrence Smith and Tom Tilby led to a centre for Jimmy Venus to hammer the ball goalwards however he was denied by the athletic Walden keeper who dived full length to push the ball around the post. Thurrock maintained their pressure and Tilby had the ball in the net only to see the goal disallowed for an earlier offence.
Thurrock need to maintain this form next week when they travel to Old Loughtonians to take on their Academy side at 4 pm.
Last Sunday Thurrock sent a team to Gallows Corner to play a retro-tournament on grass. In the round-robin Thurrock failed to qualify for the final losing on goal difference to Witham and East London captained by former Thurrock players Richard Dunnage and Nick Ding respectively but were successful to claim the runners up plate as 3rd place team. Team Bob Leeks, Andy Gaut, Liam Birch, Gary Ginsburg, Ben Knowles, Jimmy Venus, Gary Venus, George McAllister and captain Derek Staton.
