Ladies 1
ST ALBANS I 2 – 1 THURROCK I
A promising start to the game as the Ladies travelled with a squad of 13! This enabled them to compete for long periods of time as the fresh legs of Charnie Horseman and Katie Lawrence certainly meant that the opposition could not relax their concentration.Thurrock competed with determination and flair but unfortunately St Albans took the lead. Lou Parrott found herself in an attacking role and duly put her team level with a fine goal. The game was played at a ‘seesaw’ pace and was at time almost quite thrilling but as in so many games recently a late goal meant that the ladies left with yet again no points.
Ladies I host Colchester I at Palmers on Saturday, 2pm push back
Ladies II
THURROCK II 0 – 2 WAPPING III
The game was always going to be hard and again the ladies fielded a squad of 13 which was rotated well and certainly kept the opposition guessing! The first half was fast and furious and good defensive work from Natalie Kerrin and Faye Tuffee kept the Wapping attack frustrated. Towards the end of the first half Wapping spotted a weakness and exploited with two goals in quick succession. The second half saw the Ladies much tighter and in fact some excellent ‘linking’ between player of the match Karen Lucking and Nicky Woodruff meant that the Wapping defence could never rest and had to remain alert. A fine save from Karen Richardson kept the score at 2-0.
The Seconds are away to Basildon II on Saturday
Ladies III
EAST LONDON III 2 – 0 THURROCK III
The Threes also went with a squad of 13 and again this was successful in maintaining a fast pace. The team played well and completely belied their ‘bottom of the league’ position. Charlotte Adnams, player of the match, worked tirelessly in the middle of the pitch and put through many searching passes but sadly not capitalised upon! During a substitution the opposition took advantage and took the lead much against the ‘run of play’. The Ladies fought back well and began to settle and mounted some attacks. Newcomer Carly Belcher supported her teammates admirably and was constantly breaking down the East London attacks and mounting her own. The Ladies looked so close to scoring and had numerous short corners and can only blame themselves for not winning this game! Despite the onslaught of corners East London had one breakaway and inevitably scored. To avoid relegation the ladies have to capitalise on these sort of games.
On Saturday the Thirds are at home to Redbridge & Ilford III, 12.30 pm
Mens 1 xxxx
DIVISION 3SE
THURROCK I 2 – 1 PHOENIX 1
Thurrock started the game in form with a win last week. The last time the two teams faced each other Phoenix come out on top but Thurrock was determined to get their own back. The game started very physical from the off, with Tees playing some of their best hockey for a while with some brilliant short sharp passing. Then from nowhere Phoenix broke away from Thurrock’s defence and scored.
The home side kept their heads up and some great passing in the midfield of Andy Sargeant, Nick Stapleton and, returning to the Is, Christian Jenkins. Thurrock continued to put pressure to the opposition with a break through from Nick Sheard who deflected the ball over the goalie to make it 1-1.
Phoenix did have a few chances but some strong defending from Luke Danbrook, Tommy Ing and man of the match Jordan Salmon held them off. In the last few minutes of the game Jacob Agoro, Matt Gaut and Steven Abbot linked up well putting pressure on the opposing defence, with Thurrock being awarded a short corner. From a well rehearsed set-piece Jacob Agoro flicked the ball into the net to go 2-1 up with Tees holding out for a well deserved win. This was a vital victory as NE14Hockey Div 3SE title rivals Maldon & Little Baddow lost 4-1 to Redbridge & Ilford. Thurrock are now eight points clear at the top of the league.
On Saturday Thurrock travel to the John Orwell sports centre to play Wapping at 4pm.
Mens 2
DIVISION 6SE
THURROCK II 2 – 0 REDBRIDGE & ILFORD II
Thurrock’s second XI recorded their sixth victory in a row, against promotion rivals Redbridge & Ilford, to keep their title dreams very much alive on Saturday at Palmer’s College.
Third placed Redbridge lived up to their reputation of being tight at the back, but Thurrock played a very patient game, building their attacks slowly and rarely losing the ball in the first 15 minutes.
After being frustrated by dogged defending and goal keeping for most of the first half, it took the cunning of Ashley Snell to outwit Redbridge from a short corner to put the home side one up. Half time and great praise from Thurrock’s Andre Rudder saw the 2s strengthen their grip on this six pointer, and even though the visitors had periods of possession, they rarely troubled the solid defence of Gary Ginsburgh, Mike Hewing and Chris Smith.
Michael Murray put the points beyond doubt with 10 minutes left on the clock when he tore through the Redbridge back five and slammed the ball home.
The 2s now see promotion as the minimum expectation this season, with the NE14 Hockey Div 6SE title firmly in their sights.
This weekend the 2s visit Romford 2s.
Mens 3
DIVISION 8SE
Playing into a strong wind in this NE14HOCKEY Div 8SE game Thurrock were penned in by the well-organised Saffron Walden team who cut out passes and attacked in numbers. After 10 minutes the home team went into the lead from a short corner which was hammered past keeper Dave Leeks. Gradually Thurrock made headway and Matthew Skinner collected a pass from Gary Venus and fired the ball towards the goal. The shot was saved but Skinner pounced on the rebound and again hit the ball towards the goal, the keeper made a second save but Skinner was not to be denied and collected the rebound to score with his third attempt. The game flowed from end to end with both teams struggling to find the net. With five minutes of the half remaining, a mishit from the edge of the area caught Leeks out of position and crept over the line to make it 2-1. A change of formation with Himesh Patel moving into a central midfield position saw Thurrock claim the majority of the play and force the Saffron Walden keeper into making a string of saves. The home team were restricted to rare attacks which were adequately dealt with by defenders Sam Webb and Rick Clubb. With five minutes to go, Oliver Smith collected the ball and passed to Michael Fleming who quickly moved it on for Jimmy Venus to run through and slip it past the advancing keeper to level the score. In the final minute Saffron Walden almost snatched victory when an attack down the left was rapidly switched to an inrushing attacker whose shot was heading into the net before Leeks dived full length to push it around the post with his stick.
The Thirds are home to Old Loughtonian Academy on Saturday at 11 am
