Bill Robinson reports from Ship Lane……..
Another determined and solid performance gave Thurrock their first back to back league wins since October 2009.
The new management team at Ship Lane have transformed the players and the belief in themselves which has seen them move out of the relegation places.
It’s too early to say they are safe but the signs are more promising.
The game started with Welling in control during the first twenty minutes and the outcome could have been different if they had converted a penalty awarded to them on eight minutes.
Rob Swaine tripped Louis Fazakerley inside the box and referee had no option but to point to the spot, Lee Clarke strode up to take the kick but his aim was just too high and the ball smacked against the cross bar and away to safety.
On seventeen minutes once again Welling could have scored, this time Louis Cumbers was in space on the edge of the box but again the ball went high over the bar.
Thurrock won their first corner of the game in the 22nd minute, TJ Sie took the corner and found the head of Liam Harwood, but his header went narrowly wide.
Thurrock began to take control of the game and started to build dangerous attacks and broke the deadlock on 38 minutes.
The ball broke wide on he left and was collected by Joao Carlos, he raced into the box and let fly with a left footed shot which struck the post, the ball rebounded against keeper Mitchell Walker and ran along the goal line where David Knight and Jamie Richards charged forward to but the ball over the line and the goal was credited to Jamie Richards.
HT 1-0
Thurrock continued to look in control at the start of the second period and when David Knight planted his header in the top corner of the net on 48 minutes from a Joao Carlos cross it looked liked the game was won.
Welling came back into the game but the Thurrock back four looked more than capable of keeping them out.
Time was running out and on 76 minutes Welling were awarded a second penalty, this time the referee adjudged that Dean Cracknell’s challenge was a foul and awarded the kick.
This time Andy Pugh walked forward to take the kick, his shot was successful and suddenly Welling become more motivated and pressured the Thurrock defence looking for an equaliser.
On 84 minutes Jamie Richards came close to securing the win with a long range free kick. His shot was direct and went through the hands of the keeper and thudded against the bar before dropping into the six yard box were it was cleared.
Thurrock held on for the remaining minutes to enjoy another win and another three points towards safety.
Thurrock: Joe Woolley, Craig Pope, Lee Flynn, Liam Harwood, Rob Swaine, TJ Sie, Matt Bodkin, Dean Cracknell, Jamie Richards, David Knight, Joe Carlos.
Subs: Lee Hodges, Shane Scanlon, Jo Flack, Phil Anderson, Adam Gross
