Ryman Div One North
Thurrock 1 v 3 Dereham
Report courtesy of www.pitchero.com/thurrock
THURROCK were beaten by Dereham Town 3-1 at Ship Lane on Saturday afternoon, in the Ryman League Division One North.
The Fleet dominated the opening exchanges but couldn’t put away their chances. Dereham then seized the advantages putting three past Thurrock, including a Ryan Hawkins penalty, before Robert Clark fired in a late consolation.
Thurrock started the game with a lot of impetus as they looked to go back to winning ways after a disappointing defeat to Romford last time out.
The Fleet could have opened the scoring within minutes of the game kicking off. The ball looped into the box and was met by David Knight’s head, however the striker could only direct the ball onto the post.
This was then followed up by another opportunity for Thurrock. After bouncing around the box, the ball fell to Ross Wall but his deflected shot fell comfortably for Andy Wilton in the Dereham Town goal.
Further opportunities fell to Mark Stimson’s Thurrock side as they continued to mount pressure on the Magpie’s defence. Constant shots were flying in and with every corner being met by another corner, the pressure didn’t seem to stop.
Knight had another effort to put the Fleet in Front but his close range shot was well saved by Wilton.
Dereham managed to break free of the Thurrock attack for a lengthy period but they could only spurn one chance, a Tuttle shot from Distance that looped over the crossbar.
Thurrock edged their way back on top in the game creating a succession of further chances. The most interesting being David Knight’s effort from the byline which he flicked onto the crossbar.
More corners were earned by Thurrock but no player in yellow or green could grab a touch. Dereham’s Adam Smith cleared one off the line before Ross Wall had an effort smartly saved by Wilton once again.
Mark Stimson will have gone in at half-time the more disappointed of the two managers even though his side had dominated the first period. Thurrock had failed to make an advantage out of their sustained pressure and this means one thing in football.
The prophecy of not taking your chances in football fulfilled itself after the break and Danny Beaumont guided the ball into the net from close range to put the Magpies in front.
This left Thurrock in dire frustration, anger and disappointment. They performed so ardently in the opening half but now had to battle from behind.
The conceding of the goal seemed to make the Fleet lose shape and direction in their attack. They resorted to shooting from distance and did not trouble Andy Wilton in the Magpies’ net.
The frustration for the home supporters was further increased when Dereham’s Captain, Olly Willis, skipped into the box and was brought down by the Thurrock defence. The referee pointed to the spot and Ryan Hawkins dispatched the spot-kick with style to extend the away side’s advantage.
Dereham’s third quickly followed after a defensive mistake from Connor Martin. The defender’s header back to Andy Walker fell short allowing Kyle Downs to latch onto it and poke it into the net.
Thurrock appeared to have been well and truly turned over but did manage to grab a late goal through a 20-yard strike from Robert Clark.
