THURROCK 3RD 5 v 2 CHELMSFORD 5TH
After gaining promotion at the end of last season, Thurrock began their first game in Division 7SE strongly. Using their wingers, Ricky Smith and Mat Skinner to stretch the opposition and went into the lead when Himesh Patel’s free hit went to Sam Webb who centred for Liam Birch to beat the keeper.
When a Chelmsford attack was cut out by Rick Clubb, the quickly moved inside the D where Patel fired inches wide however the hit out by Chelmsford was intercepted by Birch who dribbled through the defence before getting his second goal. Chelmsford began to play the ball around and Andy Gaut made a series of fine saves before being beaten by a shot which crept inside the post in the final minute of the first half.
After the break, Thurrock soon added to their lead, when Michael Fleming beat two players before slipping the ball to Dave Leeks who fired into the net.
From the restart Chelmsford attacked in numbers and opened up Thurrock’s defence with quick passing resulting in a mishit shot which deceived Gaut and crept over the line.
This spurred Thurrock into action and Patel drove through the centre before passing to Fleming whose shot was covered by the keeper, however a speedy intervention by Skinner deflected the ball into the net for Thurrock’s fourth.
In the final minute, Thurrock were awarded a penalty corner which was hit out to Fleming whose shot flew between the keeper and defender and into the net.
