Ryman Div One North
Thurrock 5 v 2 Waltham Abbey
WHILE the mathmaticians might argue otherwise, Thurrock secured their Ryman North play-off place with Saturday’s emphatic win.
They go into the final match of the season in fifth place with a three point lead over nearest challengers Dereham but more importantly a goals difference 28 better than the Norfolk side.
Thurrock madea bright start to Saturday’s game at Ship Lane and Leslie Thompson almost opened the scoring in the third minute as he cleverly made space for himself inside the area before shooting just wide with Ross Wall just out of reach of a touch in.
However, it was Abbey who took the lead after seven minutes when Louis Bristow shot after getting on the end of a loose ball after a clearance deflected off the back of the head of a Thurrock defender, Rhys Madden got a foot to the ball but could not keep it out of the net.
The lead lasted until the 20th minute when Charlie Stimson, who had seen a shot blocked moments earlier, was playd in by Lewwis Spence and he battled his way to the by-line, cutting the ball back to Joe Christou who buried from six yards.
The home side took the lead seven minutes later when Stimson lifted the ball over to Ross Wall who showed great composure to get the ball under control before lobbing keeper keeper James May for Thurrock’s 100th league goal of the season.
The second half started with Thurrock looking to push on from their lead and possession but it went very wrong within two minutes. Aaron Waters mishit his clearance, got the ball stuck under his feet and gave away a free kick trying to get the ball back again. It was taken by Jason Hallet who was able to level the scores.
Thurrock had chances to regain the lead but lived dangerously at the other end and it took a goal line clearance from Lewis Clark to keep the scores level.
But they were to go ahead again on 73 minutes when a period of sustained pressure ended when man of the match Stimson produced a clinical finish.
Waltham were not done and responded with attacking play of their own but were unable to force an equaliser and Thurrock eventually made the game safe when Thompson sidefooted past May with six minutes remaining and the icing on the cake came with a superb volleyed goal from Thompson two minutes from the end.
