Bill Robinson reports from Princes Park………..
With a new management team in place and struggling to escape the relegation zone, Thurrock had only a short journey across the Thames to local rivals Dartford to see if they could restart their season.
A number of new faces had arrived at Ship Lane this week: manager Grant Gordon and coach Robbie Garvey wasted no time in reshuffling the eleven after a poor new years weekend when they conceding 13 goals and scored 3 in two poor displays.
In the first forty five minutes, Thurrock battled well, they looked more determined than in recent games and the longer the game went on the more they grew in confidence.
Thurrock should have taken the lead on twenty one minutes, Joe Carlos was wide on the left when he set over a deep cross to the far post, Matt Bodkin was undecided whether to head the ball or try a right footed shot, he tried the latter and the ball went flew wide.
Whilst Dartford tried to push forward it was Thurrock that created the better chances,
David Knight had a fine shot saved by the keeper and then again on 39 minutes a free kick taken by Lee Flynn some 25 yards out was goal bound until keeper Andrew Young once again saved well.
In the last few seconds of the first half Thurrock nearly let the Darts in, Joe Woolley rolled the ball out to Lee Flynn who was quickly dispossessed by Ryan Hayes leaving him one on one with Woolley but Joe made a splendid save.
HT 0-0
The second half once again Dartford huffed and puffed but could not penetrate the Fleet’s back four and the better chances were created by the Thurrock attack.
Both TJ Sie and Joe Carlos had half chances but it was Matt Bodkin who broke the deadlock in the 68th minute.
The move started down the left flank, the ball was played back to Lee Flynn, his powerful cross landed at the feet of David Knight who cleverly fed the ball out wide for Matt Bodkin, he sped past his maker and fired home a splendid goal into the far corner of the net.
Dartford responded by bringing on a couple of substitutions to try and recover the situation, but Thurrock remained solid and looked good for a win.
But on 80 minutes keeper Woolley once again came to the rescue, Adam Burchall broke away and was free within the penalty area but Woolley was quick to react and made a diving save at Burchall’s feet.
At the final whistle the relief and unity amongst the Thurrock players was more evident than what we have seen for a long time. Hopefully this could be the turning point of their season.
Thurrock : Joe Woolley, Craig Pope Rob Swaine, Liam Harwood, Lee Flynn, Joe Carlos, Matt Bodkin, Dean Cracknell, Tommy Tejan-Sie, Jamie Richards,David Knight.
Subs: Bradley Hudson-Odoi, Kenny Beaney, Phil Anderson, Shane Scanlon.
