Dulwich Hamlet 1 Thurrock 2
Pre Season Friendly
Bill Robinson reports from Champion Hill Stadium……
Another entertaining pre season game in which both sides looked competitive and out to provide a game full of good football.
The home side looked strong as they tried to penetrate the Thurrock back four on a number of occasions but resolute defending reduced them to some long range efforts that failed to trouble keeper Craig Holloway.
Thurrock gradually took control of the play and were showing promising signs of a team coming together.
The first half remained goal less with the best chance falling to Dulwich in the closing minutes of the half when a defensive error allowed Bradley Walsh a header with just Holloway to beat but he failed to make a good contact and the ball went wide.
Thurrock made three substitutions at the start of the second half, replacing both strikers and resting Ben Bowditch who is just coming back from injury.
David Knight came close within minutes of the restart seeing his shot from the edge of the box well saved.
Then on 66minutes Rocky Baptiste broke the deadlock with a simple tap in after James White sent through a penetrating ball that Baptiste challenged for with the keeper the ball dropped kindly for the Thurrock striker to score from close range.
The game continued to flow with chances being created at both ends but Thurrock still maintained their clean sheet, until the 86th minute when a break by Dulwich saw Frank Sawyer racing away down the left flank as he cut inside Dean Cracknel challenged and appeared to be fouled, everyone stopped except Sawyer who continued towards goal and blasted the ball wide of the advancing Holloway to bring the sides level.
As we entered added time Thurrock advanced looking to snatch a winner and it was a David Knight header at the far post who restored the lead and gave Thurrock a well earned win.
Next up for Thurrock is Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday night at 7:45pm
Thurrock : Craig Holloway, Rickie Hayles, Lynval Duncan, James White, Kurt Robinson, Kris Newby, Paul Terry, Ben Bowditch, Reece Harris, Jamie Richards, Kyan Kalipha.
Subs: David Knight, David Hughes, Rocky Baptiste, Dean Cracknel, Glen Poole, Alfie Wren.
