Mens Ists
THURROCK I 3 – 5 CROSTYX II
It was the T’s first game to start the second half of the season in the N14Hockey Div 3SE with a hard game against Crostyx IIs. With a win against Upminster last week every one wanted to carry on the performance into this game, but with Christian Jenkins still unavailable with a badly torn hamstring and captain Steve Abbott out with a recurring back injury it was always going to be an uphill struggle.
It started off exactly as Ts wanted with a goal in the first minute when Jacob Agoro converted a short corner, but the game turned for the worse as Crostyx scored three goals in 15 minutes. Five minutes later Matt Gaut received a long ball, chipped it over the rushing out keeper and pushed the ball in the goal. This made it 3-2 and the game was still any ones. With only three minutes until half time Crostyx scored another goal to go 4-2 up. Thurrock’s goal keeper Andy Gaut, badly injured his shoulder in trying to stop the ball entering the net and heroically carried on till half time. At the start of the second half Thurrock came out fighting but after after 10 minutes Andy Gaut, in making another great diving save, made his injury worse and was taken to hospital. Man of the Match Luke Danbrook went in goal, making some good saves to keep the Ts in the game and spurring on the team with Matt Gaut scoring his second to make it 4-3 to Crostyx. The second half was all Thurrock pushing and pushing, but a short corner to Crostyx resulted in the opposition scoring and ending Thurrock’s winning streak.
Hoping to regain their form next week the Ts are away to University of Essex at 12.30 pm
Mens II
BRENTWOOD V 1 – 6 THURROCK II
Thurrock continued their recent run of top results with a fine victory over local rivals Brentwood V, with the hunt for second place in NE14 Hockey Div 6SE hotting up with six points separating five teams.
In a scoreline that did not reflect the toughness of the game thurrock went behind early on after a crossed ball was deflected into the top corner by a Thurrock player for an own goal, a finish a striker would have been proud of.
This is exactly what Thurrock needed for them to move into top gear as they hit back within five minutes thanks to the Michael Murray finding the backboard.
Thurrock then continued to battle around the park for the ball, playing good solid hockey for long periods of the game, with Tees taking the lead through Ash Snell, and then adding another to go into the break 3-1 up.
The second half saw inspirational play by Gary Tregett, with the Thurrock player dominating the midfield, making inroads into the Brentwood defence and being rewarded for his efforts with a hatrick.
Just before the conclusion of the game there was time for a yellow card to be shown to both teams for committed challenges, with Thurrock’s Tom Madden being pulled up for a reckless challenge.
All in all good day out for Thurrock and three deserved points.
This Saturday home to Chelmsford V, 11 am start
ROCHFORD CASUALS 2 – 1 THURROCK III
Thurrock ended this NE14HOCKEY Div 8SE cursing their luck. After only 5 minutes a mishit shot from the edge of the area was easily stopped but the ball spun off Rick Clubb’s stick and crept over the line. Thurrock worked hard and Jimmy Venus levelled the score after 10 minutes when he collected a pass from Michael Fleming and hammered the ball past the advancing keeper. Minutes later Fleming saw his shot hit the outside of the post. Thurrock gained a series of short corners but were unable to beat the in-form keeper.
In the second half, Thurrock continued to have the majority of the play pushing Casuals into defence, with Fleming hitting the post twice more. When Rochford had a rare attack midway through the half, there seemed little danger and a cross into the area was easily cleared. However the ball hit a defender’s foot and Casuals were awarded a short corner. Keeper Declan Salmon easily saved the initial shot but the ball rebounded onto the stick of an attacker and back into the goal. Thurrock went all-out to level the score with Liam Birch producing a rocket shot from the edge of the area which hit the crossbar and rebounded out of the opposite sideline. Thurrock forced Casuals into conceding a string of short corners with Jimmy Venus hitting the angle between post and crossbar with a flicked shot, but the final whistle saw him on the losing side for the third time in seven days.
Next game home to Brentwood VI at 12.30
Ladies I xxxx
THURROCK I 0 – 0 UPMINSTER I
Thurrock approached this game with apprehension as they were facing top of the league Upminster whilst currently sitting near the bottom of the league. The ladies were delighted to be finally fielding a fit and complete squad! They took a little while to settle and as the game progressed it was clear despite the difference in positions the gap between the playing ability was minimal. This realisation made the team grow in confidence and the ladies began to mount their own attacks.
The game kept the spectators enthralled as the T’s defence were tested to their limit but the back line of Lou Parrot, Sally Ellis and Sara White maintained great discipline and composure. The final 10 minutes were tense and when the final whistle went the ladies knew that they had been in a real contest. Captain Tess Eng who worked tirelessly throughout was delighted with the performance of the team.
Saturday away to Broxbourne I
SOUTHEND II 0 – 0 THURROCK II
The Seconds also had a battle on their hands! They too were also facing top of the league opposition and they too are sitting near the bottom of the league. The 2nds also were in the same position of having a full and fit squad. The ladies welcomed back Nicky Jones who was returning from a serious hockey injury. Her absence clearly had no affect on her fine defensive performance. The defence played well and as the first half progressed Thurrock spent more time in the Southend half and were so unlucky not to go into the lead when an open goal was put wide!
Spirits were raised from this and the ladies began the second half in a dominant mood. As the game came close to the end Southend became very dangerous and then T’s were under exceptional pressure but endless work from the defence and inspirational play from Katie Lawrence meant that the ladies kept a point from this exhausting performance.
Home to Maldon & Little Baddow at 2 pm this Saturday
THURROCK III 0 – 5 BASILDON V
Another match where Thurrock were playing a team at the top end of the league… sadly the result was not to be the same as the First and Seconds! The first half was tight and the defence was kept busy, but the years of playing experience was the reason why the ladies kept the score down to 1-0. Some great play on the left with Liz Grey, Tina Turrant and Grace Millane meant that the ladies put the Basildon under some pressure and Debra Blaimey made a number of penetrating runs which rattled the opposition. However despite sterling work from player of the match Carly Belcher it was impossible for the defence to sustain the pressure although Charlotte Adnams saved two on the line.
This Saturday away to Old Southendian III
