THURROCK go into the final week of the season, still out of the play-offs but still very much in the hunt for promotion. Goals by Ross Wall and Kurt Smith secured the three points against a durable Redbridge side.
ALTHOUGH it tends to be written that Grays are a tired unit after a long season, they do keep pulling out the results. They held champions Wealdstone and an impressive Lowestoft recently and in the final week of the season, see themselves 13th in the league (somewhat better than YT's prediction of 20th!).
A PATCHED-UP Aveley side were made to work hard for their 3-1 win at Mill Field against an already relegated Erith & Belvedere. The Deres who currently sit bottom of the Ryman North table having lost all of their last 13 previous matches took a surprise lead when the Millers failed on three occasions to clear the ball before George Humber put the visitors in front.
THE BATTLE for survival goes into the last week as East Thurrock grasped another vital point in a 1-1 draw against Met Police at Rookery Hill. The robust looking Met looked like they would be a handful for The Rocks however, the first chance of the game came to the home side, when in the 4th minute, Sam Higgins pounded on a back-pass but he shot straight at the keeper.
IT now looks like a straight scrap between East Thurrock and Wingate to avoid the final Ryman Premier relegation place. That said, 22nd place Thamesmead could still get out of trouble, and 19th-placed Enfield Town could get dragged in.
A KEY point as East Thurrock United come from behind against the Met Police. Grays win on the road and Thurrock continue to fight for a play-off place with a win against Redbridge.
BY the break the home side ought to have been level at least, and possibly in front, but they failed to take their opportunities, abetted by a couple of good saves from Hughes, and a revitalised Rocks came out in more commanding form at the start of the second half and they pushed their hosts back.
MASSIVE win for The Rocks as they climb out of the drop zone. An 85th minute Sam Higgins goal clinched it for Covo's men. Drop rivals, Wingate play on Wednesday night and then it is Met Police on Saturday for East Thurrock.
THE Aveley Youth Cyclones under-sevens were formed at the end of 2013 and have been playing in the Thundermite League since January 2014. They are a fantastic group of boys who love their football and who have gelled really well in a short time.
LEAGUE leaders Wealdstone held a lively Grays side to a draw in an exciting game at Mill Field this afternoon in front of nearly 500 spectators. The match kicked off at 3.07pm after a minute's silence to remember and pay tribute to the 96 supporters that went a football match at Hillsborough in 1989, and never came home. Blues Leroy Griffiths wearing number nine and 'Stones Elliot Godfrey wearing number stood together on the halfway line as both teams, match and club officials and supporters observed an immaculate one minutes silence.
A SECOND half revival from Leiston ensured what proved, in the end, a comfortable victory for the home side but they owed much in the first half to a fine display from keeper Alexis Rossis and profligacy from East Thurrock. The only thing going for Rocks seems to be that Wingate and Finchley keep losing. If Rocks beat relegated Cray Wanderers on Tuesday night, then they will rise out of the relegation zone.
JUSTIN Gardner was yet again made to rue a referring decision against his side as the Millers lost 2-0 away at AFC Sudbury. With the score at 1-0 following Ollie Hughes' goal six minutes into the second half, Aveley thought they had equalised through Nathan Koranteng's effort off the underside of the bar.
TILBURY went down to 10 men Needham Market on Saturday, as their recent poor home run continues. The game saw the return of influential midfielder Joe Christou after injury and suspension. Both sides had early chances, Crisp for the visitors when he hit over on 9 minutes and a minute later Wixon shot at goal. The game exploded into life on 19 minutes when both Ryan Blackman and David Cowley tussled, but Cowley kicked out in front of the referee and was dismissed for violent conduct.
IT IS now looking very grim for East Thurrock as they lose 3-1 to Leiston. They now have a vital vital match against Cray Wanderers on Tuesday night. Thurrock do well to beat Soham away and Grays hold the champions-elect.
EAST THURROCK sank further into the relegation zone with a heavy 4-1 defeat against mid-table Margate at Rookery Hill. The first thirty minutes were all East Thurrock as they looked like the team that had dismantled Canvey so easily. The only difference was they could not find the back of the net.
