TWO OUTSTANDING goals for Grays Athletic saw them earn their sixth win in a row as they beat rivals East Thurrock United 2-0 at Mill Field. East Thurrock had the most of the early exchanges without really producing anything. However, the first real chance of the game came to Grays and illustrated why they had made a remarkable turnaround in the last four games. Joel Nouble found himself in space just outside the box. He found Kenny Beaney in space and from there, Beaney shot but Rocks keeper David Hughes did well to turn it over the bar.
THURROCK are now just one point off the play-offs with another impressive in beating fellow promotion contenders Witham Town 3-0 at Ship Lane. This was the Fleet's second victory in four days and indicates a rich rein of form just at the right time for Mark Stimson's men.
THE second period was a quieter affair and on 71 Coley hit just wide before Cutler had his shot well saved by Ben Barnes. On 79 Jack West had tame effort cleared off the line before a late substitution saw Babalola go close. Abbey saw the game out and took a well deserved three points. The result sees Tilbury drop 2 places to 16th. The sides meet again in April. Tilbury are back in action on Thursday when they welcome Redbridge.
JOAO Carlos scored the only goal of the game at The Dripping Pan in Lewes to make it four wins in a row. Blues hosted Lewes just ten days ago in the league, earning a hard-fought 4-2 win.
A TIRED Aveley were unable to build on Thursday night’s win over Soham Town Rangers, falling to a 3-1 defeat against Dereham Town at Mill Field. Less than 48 hours removed from the victory against Soham, the Millers made the perfect start against another promotion hopeful, Dereham, scoring inside three minutes through Lee Weemes.
The second half didn't start well as both teams continued to niggle away at each other. The Rocks had more of the possession and looked in control but were finding it difficult to carve put decent chances. However, it was Wingate who took the lead in the 67th minute with neat work down the left. The ball was pulled back from the dead ball line and Josh Kennett stroked the ball home from close range.
FOUR victories in a row for the super Grays Athletic. A worrying defeat for East Thurrock United. Thurrock keep up their promotion bid but Aveley and Tilbury go down at home.
GRAYS ATHLETIC took another important step towards safety with another assured, confident victory beating Wingate and Finchley 2-0 at Mill Field. This was Grays Athletic third victory in a week and the nine points saw the Blues rise to 17th in the table, nine points clear of the relgation zone.
The experienced coach returns to Grays Athletic in a senior coaching role. Oktay was assistant manager to Hakan Hayrettin before moving to pastures early in 2013 and has returned to the club from Banbury FC who play in the Calor League.
TWO goals inside the first ten minutes set Witham well on their way to a comfortable 3-0 win over Aveley at Mill Field. Goals from Kris Newby after just 55 seconds followed by a goal from Danny Emmanuel after nine minutes all but killed off the game for the Millers. Despite a spirited second half showing Aveley were unable to muster much in the way of attempts on goal and the points were sealed late on when the referee awarded a dubious penalty which James Stevens converted.
THIS ‘six-pointer’ in the Ryman Premier relegation battle ended with an emphatic victory for East Thurrock, but for much of the game there was little to separate the sides. The first half saw both sides cancel each other out and there was little in the way of entertainment other tahen one moment of class from Rocks striker Sam Higgins who picked the ball up on the edge of the box, turned and thumped a ferocious shot that former East Thurrock keeper Sam Mott tipped onto the crossbar.
TILBURY upset Ryman One North title contenders Soham Town Rangers with a good performance on a heavy Chadfields pitch that passed two inspections by the referee. Soham arrived at Chadfields on the back of some good results but played the last 28 minutes with 10 men. The Dockers gave starts to returning players Jack West and Joe Obersteller and also gave a first 90 minutes to defender Ross Owen.
GRAYS ATHLETIC produced a performance with heart, skill, commitment and passion to take a vital three points in a 2-1 victory against AFC Hornchurch. Grays hussled, harried, played together as a unit and showed buckets of zeal and enthusiasm which if they can maintain will surely see them safe at the end of the season.
EAST Thurrock United manager John Coventry has paid tribute – and issued a public thanks – to striker Sam Higgins who has returned to the Ryman Premier club to help in their battle against relegation. Higgins, who has a close relationship with Coventry going back many years, left the Rocks set-up in the close season to join Conference South Concord Rangers and he has played a prominent part in helping establish them in that division.
BOTH GRAYS Athletic and East Thurrock United produce great victories to relief a little bit of the pressure that comes when you are in the bottom eight in the table. Tremendous victory for The Dockers against promotion-chasing Soham.
