RYMAN North league leaders Needham made full use of home advantage and a difficult pitch to dent Thurrock’s own promotion ambitions, though Fleet remained in the play=off zone despite the defeat.
Thurrock made a good start and Lewwis Spence struck an early free kick just wide of the post.
With Thurrock’s wingers unable to run with the ball they tried a more direct approach but this was easily dealt with by Needham Market’s well drilled back four.
Needham settled and began to dominate although Thurrock were largely able to keep them at bay until the dying minutes of the first half when Michael Brothers struck twice in quick succession.
The start of the second saw a more effective Thurrock with both Loui Hazelwood and Rob Clark having early chances.
With 20 minutes to go Needham’s Sam Nunn paid the penalty for a silly yellow card in the first half for kicking the ball away when a trip on Brad Warner drew a second card and dismissal.
In the closing stages Thurrock spurned several chances with Simon King and Lewis Clark both going particularly close and Ross Wall also nearly grabbed a consolation deep in added time when his powerful header struck the keeper and bounced clear.
