Bill Robinson reports from Ship Lane……..
Thurrock 2 Waltham Forest 0
Two goals either side of the break was sufficient to keep Thurrock’s pre season preparation going in the right direction.
It was a determined Waltham Forest side that made life difficult for Thurrock but another first class display by Kenny Clark and Rob Swaine at the heart of Thurrock’s defence meant that keeper Deniz Mehmet and in the second half Andre Foster where well protected and never tested.
The opening goal came on 39 minutes, Forest keeper Jason Willis, came out and cleared a long ball into touch, Thurrock’s Matt Bodkin took the throw quickly which caught Willis out of position, Lawrence Yiga now ran the ball down the right flank and put over a low hard cross which found Cliff Akurang in front of goal just yards from the goal line and he had the simple task of side footing the ball home.
HT 1-0
A number of changes were made at the interval and Thurrock resumed looking a little sharper, but Forest were still determined to get back in the game and kept pushing forward.
Marquin Smith came close to getting the scores level with a cheeky chip shot on 50 minutes as the came opened up more.
Matt Bodkin was a constant threat with his pacey runs and on a run in the 65th minute he fired in a shot that was just inches over.
Thurrock’s second goal came in a very similar fashion to their first, this time it was Lee Roache that made a weaving run down the left flank before cutting inside and crossing low and hard for Joe Seabrook to side foot home from about eight yards.
Joe Collins nearly made it three on 72 minutes when Tansel Osman made room for himself on a run down the right wing and his cross was met by Collins, but his header was well saved.
Thurrock now meet local rivals on Saturday when they travel up to Mill Field to visit Aveley, their last game before the leagues season starts on the 14th.
Thurrock: Deniz Mehmet, Ryan Andrews, Bradley Warren, Rob Swaine, Kenny Clark, Reiss Gilbey, Mat Bodkin, Lawrence Yiga, Cliff Akurang, David Bryant, Alfie Reen.
Subs: Andre Foster (GK), Paul Olima, Ryan Stalley, Tansel Osman, Joe Collins, Harlee Dean.
