Ladies
Ashford 9 v 0 Thurrock
Thurrock started strong playing some promising early attaching hockey. However a break from Ashford resulted in an early goal with Ashford 1-0 up they rose to the early pressure that Thurrock had built and managed to score another goal but Thurrock continued to dig deep for the last 10 minutes of the first half but unfortunately could not find the back of the net shortly before the conclusion of the first half Ashford slotted away another leaving it 3-0 Ashford going into half time.
Following half time Thurrock again built some good scoring opportunities but were not able to convert these, but with legs tiring and no subs to call upon Ashford continued to build the pressure and as Thurrock tired Ashford took advantage of this opening up the field which lead to them scoring a total of 9 goals. With 10 minutes to go Thurrock were given a life line when one of the Ashford players received a green card with 10 players Thurrock continued to attack coming close on a number of occasions however were not able to response.
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Ladies 2 played against Havering 3s. Thurrock dominated most of the play and was only denied scoring 3 or 4 by the wonderful Havering keeper who played a blinder!
Not to be out done Thurrock goalkeeper having been a spectator for most of the game pulled out a top class diving save to her right to deny havering a draw.
After an earlier goal from player of the match, Sally Willett to beat her. The final score was 1-0 a well deserved win for Thurrock!
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Mens
Clacton 2 v 2 Thurrock
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East Men’s League. Division 7 southeast. Thurrock men’s 2nd team v Witham men’s 4th team. 3-1 to Thurrock.
A really high standard game played out by both teams in this encounter. Witham had a number of former high level players now playing lower down. With an outstanding goalkeeper.
Thurrock put the Witham defence under considerable pressure, which they soaked up plus some outstanding interceptions from their keeper at the edge of the D.
Jordan Salmon eventually broke the deadlock with goal created and finished himself.
Thurrock conceded a penalty corner, which Witham struck cleanly to level. Ray Oddy retook the lead in a rare outing from the former Tee’s player.
The game became a little more scrappy in the second half as legs tired and substitutions changed the flow of the game. Jeff West took a ball at pace, drove into the D on the right and struck the only goal of the second half to seal the win.
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WALTHAM FOREST 5th 4 THURROCK 3rd 0
On the Lee Valley International pitch, Thurrock lost their first game in Div 9SE. Thurrock were on the attack from the start pushing Forest back into defence with Bradley Rust seeing a number of shots saved. A rare attack by the home side led to a mishit shot which crept across the line.
Thurrock still continued to battle and make most of the play but were unable to turn their dominance into goals. Within 2 minutes of half time, Waltham Forest added to their lead from a short corner. Thurrock pushed forward with Tom Archer dominating the midfield but the forwards came up against a strong Forest defence and a breakaway produced another goal from a short corner. with five minutes to go as Thurrock pushed forward, to score the goal their efforts deserved, they were caught napping as a an intercepted pass was quickly moved up the pitch and a shot from the edge of the area added to their woes.
