Ryman Premier
East Thurrock United 1 v 1 Met Police
THE BATTLE for survival goes into the last week as East Thurrock grasped another vital point in a 1-1 draw against Met Police at Rookery Hill.
The robust looking Met looked like they would be a handful for The Rocks however, the first chance of the game came to the home side, when in the 4th minute, Sam Higgins pounded on a back-pass but he shot straight at the keeper.
The Rocks looked positive as they always do when they are either ahead or level.
Met Police were playing an expansive game. A lovely through ball by Joseph put Ty Pink away on the right but his shot just flirted with the Rocks goal before going out.
Much of The Rocks success was coming down the right but before they could cash on they were a goal behind when in the 16th minute, Charlie Collins banged one in from just outside the area.
This was now another key part of The Rocks season. They were being cut in half through the middle but also looked like they could create lots of chances.
In the 23rd minute, keeper David Hughes did well to save a Ty Pink shot with his legs.
If only there were two of Sam Higgins as he was doing such great work down the right.
Mitchell Gilbey’s shot in the 30th minute forced a corner as they continued to pepper the box. Another corner in the 36th minute saw a goalmouth scramble. A minute later, Higgins tried to do both jobs by firing in a shot on the right which Met keeper Anderson did well to palm away.
The Met were good value for their lead at half time as The Rocks came out for the second half.
And it did not take them long before they got on level terms when in the 48th minute, Lewis Smith smashed the ball home from close range.
This was now the time for East Thurrock to take the game by the scruff of the neck however Met Police were made of stern stuff and stretched the Rocks as Pink and Hudson-Odoi continued to make strong runs. They had their chances especially in the 75th minute, when ex-Grays Ath, Bradley Hudson-Odoi missed a free header from three yards.
There was confusion in the 89th minute when it looked like East Thurrock had scored a last minute winner but the referee disallowed it as he seemed to believe there was a foul on the keeper.
The Rocks ended with a point and so the relegation battle goes into the last week as they travel to Enfield on Monday.
East Thurrock: Hughes D, Witherspoon C, Stephens T, Peddie S, Sheehan S, Gilbey M, Lechmere S (Parmenter R 68), Symons N, Higgins S, Richmond N (Ugandu J 76),Smith L.
Subs not used: Anderson T, Paxman J, Keith J
Met Police: Searle S, Taylor E, Aldred J, Salmon W, Joseph R, James R (Smith Ty 66), Pink T (Bor W 77), Collins C (Neita N 69), Hudson-Odoi B, Hibbert J, Bird T
Subs not used: Smalley D
