THE FLEET continued their run of fine form as they ground out a 1-0 victory against Cheshunt at Ship Lane. This result now leaves just eight teams fighting for the two promotion spots available.
TILBURY suffered their third consecutive home league defeat in a drab encounter at a windy and cold Chadfields. Tilbury gave a debut to ex Stoke City and former Republic of Ireland under-19 Ben Glasgow in midfield. Maldon started the stronger of the sides with Johnson going close from a corner inside four minutes.
AVELEY'S inconsistency was again their downfall as they threw away a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 against 10-man Heybridge Swifts. Having taken the lead from the penalty spot through Petrit Elbi, Justin Gardner's side failed to push on against a Heybridge side that were playing their fourth game in a week.
JUST the other week, Rocks boss, John Coventry said: "Do you really think Sam Higgins isn't going to score for the rest of the season. Sure enough, Higgins opened the scoring after just two minutes, nodding in from close range after a corner had caused panic in the Don's box.
Grays continue to rise up the league and now have mid-table respectability in their sites. The Rocks replicated their fantastic performance against Maidstone and some as they beat Hendon 6-1.
THURROCK show their promotion credentials with a very hard fought victory against Heybridge. Tilbury go down to Harlow Town. Grays Ath make their way towards mid-table respectability with a win against Cray.
HUTTON Old Boys withstood a second half fight back from holders Little Thurrock Dynamos to seal a first-ever Essex Saturday Veterans Cup success at Maldon & Tiptree’s Wallace Binder Ground. Hutton had led 3-0 at the interval thanks to goals from Leli Bajada, Michael Gonzague and Trevor Paul, but they were left to cling onto a slender advantage as two goals in as many minutes from Dave Moran and Paul Cobb hauled Little Thurrock back into the contest mid-way through the second half.
THERE is still a long way to the end of the season and there is clearly life in East Thurrock United as they pulled off a terrific victory to beat promotion-chasing Maidstone United 3-1 at Rookery Hill. Many may be surprised but not boss John Coventry who has always had resolute faith in his men. They still have twelve games left and so there are plenty of points to play with.
GRAYS ATHLETIC took another solid stride towards safety after a hard earned draw against relegation-threatened Enfield Town. Grays played with a strong work ethic throughout and probably deserved all three points.
A HOWLER from Andy Walker in the 90th minute allowed 10-man Aveley to secure their first ever league win over Thurrock in their 87 year history. Walker allowed Nathan Koranteng's low strike to squirm underneath his body and into the bottom corner to snatch it late on for the Millers in what had been a classic blood and thunder derby.
GRAYS run of five victories in a row came to an end as they went down 4-1 to relegation-threatened Carshalton Athletic. Grays have been imperious over the last five games but it has taken a lot out of the players and some looked a little weary as they played another hard ninety minutes.
THESE two Ryman One North sides cancelled each other out in a game in which defences dominated. The first chance fell to the hosts when Albert Donyinah played in Deniz Mehmet who lifted the ball over keper James Marrable but it drifted wide.
THE scoreline exaggerates the difference on the day between these sides at either end of the Ryman Premier League but no-one could deny the table-topping Stones deserved the points that take them five clear at the head of the division. Meanwhile Rocks, who have failed to score in three successive matches, face a tough-looking battle to claw their way out of the drop zone.
LEE Weemes’ third goal in four games salvaged a point for Aveley who come from behind to draw 1-1 at Cheshunt. Weemes fired across goal and into the bottom corner with seven second half minutes remaining in a game that was very much the clichéd game of two halves.
GRAYS Athletic and East Thurrock United both humbled in the Ryman Premier. Rocks looking every inch relegation candidates now as they lost heavily to league leaders.
