EAST Thurrock find themselves looking over their shoulder at the Ryman Premier drop zone after struggling Leiston, under new manager Steve Pitt, inflicted a fourth home defeat of the season on the Rocks reports The Thurrock Enquirer. The home side’s downfall was a lack-lustre first half which saw them trail by two goals and though they improved after the break they lacked the cutting edge to get back into the game.
A GOAL in each half was just enough to give Thurrock the win, it was less than emphatic but three valuable points that keeps them in the play off places with Soham failing to take they make their way home wondering what if ! Thurrock took the lead in the 35th minute when Soham defence failed to clear from a deep in swinging cross and as the ball was played out it was David Knight who side footed home from around ten yards.
With less than 10 minutes remaining of normal time, Sudbury carved out a golden chance to level things up again when Watson skied his effort over the bar from eight yards out. Wall could have sealed victory after the ball fell to him on the edge of the Sudbury box following Archer’s failed attempted clearance, but he couldn’t find a way past the recovering goalkeeper.
IT WAS all smiles in the Ryman Div One North as both Thurrock and Aveley win but it was all a bit grim in the Ryman Premier where both East Thurrock and Grays Ath lost.
DESPITE taking the lead in five minutes, three second half goals by Wealdstone saw Grays go down 3-1 in the Ryman Premier. Grays earned the first free kick in second minute when Joao Carlos was upended near the half way line. Although it came to nothing, the winger looked like he wanted to make more of an impression than of late.
Last gasp extra time winner by Joe Nightingill for Grays raises spirits after a couple of difficult weeks. Another un-necessary defeat for Thurrock. May cost them dear at the end of the season.
TILBURY made the trip to Kent to play Ryman South side Hythe Town and came away defeated 3-1. Paul Vaughan made 2 changes from the defeat in midweek at Heybridge, with Sam Cutler and Harry Cook returning to the side. The game also saw the 100th appearance for defender Sam West for the Dockers.
THURROCK were always chasing the game after going behind after just twenty five seconds and must be wondering what could have been , they battled and won the second half but without success in front of goal. After opening goal scored by Terry Dodd Thurrock had to thank keeper Reece Ottley for a number of saves as the Bognor forwards battered the Thurrock goal.
Thurrock levelled the score on 38 minutes when a cross was flicked in by Jordon Clark from around the penalty area.
EAST Thurrock enjoyed huge tracts of possession and dominated this FA Trophy tie as an attacking force but in the end were indebted to goalkeeper Sam Mott who pulled off one of his trademark penalty saves to deny the Ryman South bottom club a giant-killing act. Rocks boss John Coventry had to reshuffle his team with four regulars out because of suspension and injury and he gave a debut to striker Jason Hallett, signed from Concord Rangers.
GRAYS made a disappointing exit from the FA Cup as they crashed to a 4-0 defeat against Daventry Town. The Blues declared their intentions from the first minute when Lee Flynn whipped in a corner that tested the Daventry keeper Richard Morris.
AFTER being knocked out of the Ryman League Cup on Tuesday night, Thurrock’s bouncebackability came to good use with a stunning 3-2 over Wroxham on Saturday afternoon. It’s even more remarkable that Mark Stimson’s side were 2-0 down in the first 15 minutes of the game, with goals from Stephen Drake and Joseph Mardsden putting the Norfolk side 2-0 up, and Thurrock 120 mile journey looked as though it was going to go to waste.
WALTHAM Forest caused a huge upset as the side bottom of the Ryman League North beat Aveley at Mill Field, and deservedly so. Jack Giddens had saved a Richard Worrell penalty, but goals from L'Heureux Menga bang on half time and Oyetunji Oyewale less than a minute into the second half condemned Aveley to an embarrassing home defeat.
TILBURY took the points with a late late Francis Babalola winner in an uninspiring game at the Brentwood Arena on Saturday. As Tilbury have done of late, started strongly with Danny Francis crossing for Harry Cook who headed just over after just 2 minutes. A few minutes later Chico Ramos in the Tilbury goal made a good double save from Subuola.
ANOTHER very disappointing result for the Millers who are starting to fall down the league. Another great last-gasp result for the Dockers. The Fleet are now in the play-off places and looking like they have found their feet.
