Staines Town 2 Thurrock 3
Blue Square South
Bill Robinson Reports from Wheatsheaf Lane……
A goal in the ninety-seventh minute secured Thurrocks first three points of the season and lifted them from the bottom of the Blue Square Bet South division.
In a game that was played out at a sedate pace throughout with Thurrock taking the lead twice and being pegged back twice but deservedly they took the points.
Thurrock took the lead in the 28th minute when debutant Steve Ferguson made a run deep into the right flank before pulling the ball back, the ball was deflected by Lee Boylan which allowed captain Dean Cracknell to pounce on the loose ball and fired his side in front.
Staines responded in the 38th minute when on the break Richard Butler struck a shot from outside the box, keeper Craig Holloway did well to save but the ball ran loose and Howard Newton was on point to blast the ball high into the top of the net.
HT 1-1
In the second half Thurrock continued to have the greater and better possession and once again went in front thanks to Dean Cracknell.Once again Steve Ferguson was the play maker who drove in a low cross with Cracknell running towards the near post being challenged by the keeper and a defender it was Deans foot the drove the ball home from close range.
Shots came in from Paul Terry, Lee Boylan and Glenn Poole all testing their keeper as Thurrock looked for another goal to seal the win.
Staines still troubled Thurrock with some deep crosses from corners and only there heading accuracy kept Thurrock in front.
On 55 mins David Wheeler can close to Staines equalizer when he drove in a cross come shot the beat everyone and thudded against the post and away to safety.
Into added time and Staines made a break for the Thurrock goal as Wheeler cut inside towards goal Thurrocks Dee Okojie miss timed his challenge and Staines were awarded a penalty. Adam Everitt came forward to take the kick sending Holloway the wrong way to level the score.
Thurrock still pushed on and amazingly in the 97th minute grabbed a deserved winner, this time Adam Gremili making the run down the right pulling his pass back for Lee Boylan who sent the ball across the goal for Glenn Poole to blast into the back of the net sending the Thurrock supporters behind the goal into raptures of applause and song.
It lifts Thurrock of the bottom and hopefully is the start of their season, next up is Tonbridge Angels on Saturday at Ship Lane ko 3:00pm
Thurrock: Craig Holloway, Adam Gemili, Reece Harris, Dave Partridge, James White, Glenn Poole, Dean Cracknell, Paul Terry, Alex Osborn, Lee Boylan, Steve Ferguson
Subs: Rikki Burbridge, Ben Bowditch, Dee Okojie, Joe Bruce, Kurt Robinson
