THERE is a steeliness in Grays Athletic that was missing last year and it was evident in their 1-0 win against Aveley at Mill Field on Monday night.
It would be easy to say that the game turned on the sending off of Aveley striker Jordan Cox.
THURROCK suffered a disappointing home defeat against their relegation rivals and slipped to the bottom of the Ryman Premier table on Saturday. Carshalton went ahead in the 17th minute when a free kick from just inside the Thurrock half was floated into the box where Thurrock’s defence failed to clear and the ball landed in front of Nathaniel Pinney. From close range he drove a low shot past Keeper Hughes and defender Guest on the line.
AT first glance the scoreline suggests this Ryman Premier clash might have been an exciting, end to end affair. In truth it was far from that, but it was still an extraordinary afternoon at Victory Road. The scene was set as early as the fourth minute when hesitation by the East Thurrock as they struggled to deal with a set piece allowed Patrick Brothers the time and space to backheel the ball home.
ANOTHER good performance from Aveley saw them stretch their winning run to six consecutive games. The Millers made two changes from Wednesday night’s win over Cheshunt as Junior Appiah and Jack Stevenson came in for Rashid Kamara and Junior Dadson respectively.
THE DOCKERS fell to an 89th minute wonder strike by a re-juvenated Harlow Town in a 1-0 defeat at Barrows Farm. The Dockers started brightly in the spring(ish) sunshine with Aaron Waters finding plenty of room in midfield. In the 3rd minute, Sam Cutler sent over a free kick that sent panic in the Harlow ranks and was cleared away for a corner.
EAST Thurrock earned a battling Ryman Premier point at Love Lane, spending much of the match fighting a rearguard action. Neither side could force a decisive goal, though Rocks had keeper Elliot Justham to thank for a couple of fine saves and the woodwork came to their aid deep into the second half.
THURROCK come away with a well earned point after a hard fought game in which the home side won the first half and Thurrock dominated the second, both sides needed but I feel Thurrock would the happier despite nearly winning the game in the closing minutes. Thurrock started well and looked to be taking the game to the home side but Hastings soon got into their stride and were looking very dangerous on attack.
GRAYS ATHLETIC reinforced their play-off credentials with a stylish and entertaining victory against Redbridge at Rush Green Stadium. One of Grays' first challenges was getting used to the pitch that was cutting up very early on.
GRAYS Athletic will contest their first Essex Senior Cup final since 1995 after goals in each half from youngster Brian Moses and Danny Bunce saw the Ryman League Division One North side overcome Premier Division Concord Rangers.
IT WAS dour but in the end it was a valuable away point for Grays as they drew 0-0 with Witham at Spa Road. With the blustery wind behind them, Grays exerted a great deal of pressure in the first fifteen minutes With Joao Carlos and Luke Marshall seeing plenty of action down the flanks.
AVELEY exacted revenge on their local rivals, Tilbury, after coming from behind to record a deserved 3-1 victory at Chadfields.
Tilbury’s 2-1 win at Mill Field all the way back on the 1st of September 2012 is now just a distant memory thanks to goals from Jack Stevenson and two more for leading scorer, Jordan Cox, as Aveley took all three points.
AVELEY reinforced their play off credentials with an emphatic 3-1 victory against Ware at Millfield. Aveley had defied the weather to get the match started. The club should be commended for a marvellous job. Ware conceded a free kick in the 1st minute with a foul n the edge of the box but the kick sailed harmlessly over the bar.
GRAYS Athletic showed their play-off credentials with an impressive 6-0 win at home against AFC Sudbury. Players flocked to Sudbury at the beginning of the season but they may have regretted that as Grays may have come along the right settled eleven at the right time.
