THURROCK 3rd 4 ESSEX UNIVERSITY 2nd 4
Thurrock started the game strongly and Michael Fleming was unlucky to see his shot go inches wide after collecting a pass from Matthew Skinner and dribbling past three defenders. Thurrock maintained their effort and forced the visitors to defend in numbers.
After 15 minutes a rare attack by University led to a shot which looked to be going wide only to be pushed over the line by a speedy unmarked attacker. The visitors were buoyed by the goal and played a series of slick passes which left the Thurrock midfield chasing shadows and a produced a shot which evaded keeper Danny Hick to make it 0-2. The university team dominated the game and were awarded a string of short corners which eventually produced a third goal.
As University skilfully moved the ball around, Thurrock were penned in their 25m area. In the last minute of the half a hit out was collected by Chris Smith who dribbled through before slipping the ball to Michael Fleming who flicked it into the net.
In the second half Thurrock began to link passes together and Tom Archer made a run on the right before passing to Olu Akinwande who fired into the net. Thurrock were playing some excellent hockey and a shot by Fleming was saved by the keeper but Alex Taylor seized on the rebound and forced the ball over the line to level the score. When the visitors mounted a rare attack strong defensive work by Ethan Pinion and George McAllister prevented any danger and quickly reclaimed the advantage.
When Akinwande intercepted a pass on the 25m. line, he dribbled into the area before unleashing an unstoppable shot to put Thurrock into the lead. As they drove forward to add to their score, Thurrock were caught out when a pass was intercepted and the ball quickly moved up the pitch catching the defence flat footed and allowing a University forward to flick the ball into the roof of the net. With time running out, Thurrock went all out for the winning goal and Luke Strudwick was unlucky when his shot was pushed around the post by the diving keeper
