Blue Square Bet South
Bill Robinson reports from York Road……………
The Ship Lane revival continued here in the Royal County of Berkshire when Thurrock battled through a tough game to win their third successive league game giving hope and pleasure to their travelling supporters.
Thurrock looked to be in control of the game from the off, testing the Maidenhead defence in the first minutes and where only playing for nine minutes when they took the lead.
The goal came from a Matt Bodkin corner kick after Craig Pope had fired over a cross field ball to Joao Carlos who ran his marker towards the goal line forcing the defender to concede the corner.
Bodkin’s cross went deep into the penalty area and found centre back Rob Swaine running onto it, his powerful header was goal bound and despite frantic efforts from the defenders the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Although Thurrock looked the better side Maidenhead still tested the Fleet defence and on 16 minutes Bradley Quamina fired in a dipping shot from outside the box which smacked against the cross bar.
Then on 19 minutes Joe Woolley had to pull off a fantastic one handed save to keep his side in front. It came about when Maidenhead had a free kick just wide on the left, the ball went deep towards the far post and was headed back across the goal where Marcus Rose was unmarked on the edge of the six yard box his header sending keeper Woolley the wrong way but his outstretched right hand managed to push the ball away to safety.
Just before the break Matt Bodkin came close to extending Thurrock’s lead when Lee Flynn’s pin point cross found Bodkin on the right flank, he controlled the ball and moved around his marked and shot towards goal but the ball was saved by keeper Steve Williams.
HT 0-1
Thurrock eventually added to their score just after the hour, once again Matt Bodkin started the move with a lightening burst of pace down the right wing before pulling the ball back on the edge of the penalty area where Jamie Richards turned his defender and dragged the ball around before firing home a superb goal with his left foot.
Just three minutes later Maidenhead reduced the deficit when Kieran Knight was pushed in the back by Rob Swaine and the referee had no doubt in awarding a penalty.
Kieran St Aimie took the spot kick and despite diving to his right the ball beat Woolley and into the net.
The goal motivated Maidenhead and suddenly Thurrock were being pushed back and had to defend with more than just the back four to maintain their lead.
When returning favourite Paul Olima struck Thurrock’s third goal in the 79th minute with a fine shot some eighteen yards from goal the game was won and Maidenhead lost their enthusiasm to go forward.
On the final whistle the travelling Thurrock supporters were still in good voice and once again the Thurrock players acknowledge their appreciation of their support.
Thurrock: Joe Wooley, Craig Pope, Lee Flynn, Liam Harward, Rob Swaine, Tommy Tj Sie, Matt Bodkin, Dean Cracknell, Jamie Richards, David Knight, Joao Carlos.
Subs: Lee Hodges, Jo Flack, Paul OLima, Kenny Clark, Shane Scanlon
