University of Essex 2nd 6 v 1 Thurrock 3rds
A much-strengthened university team recorded their first win of the season against a Thurrock side which did not play their best hockey.
From the start, the students pushed forward and pulled Thurrock out of position with some slick passing. Defenders Ethan Pinion, Neil Donovan and Mat Skinner had to work hard to cut out a series of balls into the area however, after 10 minutes, a mis-hit shot deceived keeper Dave Leeks and crept over the line for the lead.
Buoyed by this, the university piled on the pressure and went 2-0 up within 5 minutes from a short corner.
Thurrock battled back and a clearance from defence found Michael Fleming who raced through only to shoot inches wide. A tackle by Alex Thompson on the half way line led to a pass which Aaron Saunders collected and ran wide on the left before cutting into the D and shooting straight at the keeper.
Thurrock were beginning to look threatening and pushed the home side back into defence. A quickly taken free hit by university caught Thurrock off guard and the ball deflected over the line off a defender’s stick.
With two minutes to go, before half time Thurrock gained a short corner which Fleming received and deftly slipped to Lawrence Jackson who hammered the ball into the net.
University made a change of formation after half time and penned Thurrock into their own half. Within 5 minutes, they added a fourth goal from a short corner as Thurrock struggled to match their fitness.
Thurrock were restricted to making long clearances out of defence which were easily cut out and turned into attack and the students soon added a fifth goal when a save by Leeks rebounded straight into the path of an inrushing forward.
In the final minute University concluded their victory with a sixth goal from a short corner
