TILBURY started 2013 with a fine victory over a disappointing Chatham side on Saturday. Despite rumours of unrest at the club in some quarters, Tilbury showed again their resilience, with victory despite losing first choice keeper James Marrable prior to kick off and the game also saw the debut of youngster Ryan Auger. With Marrable unavailable, defender Paul King took over the gloves and did a fine job making two outstanding saves.
A LATE smash and grab from Thamesmead saw Aveley suffer their third straight league defeat which also sees them drop out of the play-off positions.
A 92nd minute Malachi Hudson goal made it a miserable start to 2013 for Justin Gardner and his players. The second half substitute deflecting in an Addae Baff shot to give the home side all three points.
Rocks took the lead but could not hold on. Last gasp agony for Aveley as Thamesmead score the winner in the 92nd minute.Bad run for Chatham as they ship five. Dockers make a great start to the year.
"We leave the pitch after a hard fought 2-2 draw with our local rivals Colchester Ladies in the league cup. It was a game that saw us dominate possession comfortably in the first half, for which we were rewarded when Zoe Lipley Hinton converted from a Jess Barling free kick. But poor refereeing and a penalty that never was saw Colchester draw level early in the second half. Unfortunately Sam Rowlands second half effort could only help us to a share of the spoils as Colchester also found the net.
THURROCK ended the year on a high with a great away win at the Dripping Pan. Lewes took the lead with a header from Callum Donaghey but in the second half, Mark Stimson's men really took it to Lewes
GRAYS ATH secured the points and narrowed the gap on the leaders with a solid 4-1 victory against struggling Chatham. All the early pressure was from Grays Ath and it was no surprise when, in the 5th minute that a completely unmarked Junior Baker was able to head in at the far post from a Joao Carlos cross.
TILBURY bounced back with a valuable 3 points over last seasons play off finalists Needham Market. The game was proceeded by a one minute silence for supporter Micky Moon who recently passed away.
Rocks held on for 89 minutes but went down to a last minute penalty to high-flying Whitehawk. Thurrock's Paxman opens the scoring but a last minute agony as Hendon penalty grabs three points.
THE FLEET'S battle against Hastings ended in a single point but Stimmo's men could so easily have grabbed all three. The result sees the Fleet still hovering over the relegation zone but once again there were enough pointers.
Pantomime season came early at Mill Field as Aveley suffered a damaging 4-1 home defeat to Wroxham and finished the game with nine men. After the Millers had edged an even first half hour, the side from Norfolk took the lead thanks to a delightful curling effort from Jamie Speller which looped over Jason Willis’ head.
For the Rocks it all turned on an idiotic Kris Newby sending off as three points lost at home. Very bad day at the office for the Millers. Back on track for the Dockers on an emotional day.
EAST THURROCK United threw away three important points against a tough and determined Lowestoft Town at Rookery Hill. With the pitch cutting up early on, it was always going to be a tough battle at Rookery Hill. The Rocks were missing the suspended skipper Reiss Gilbey.
AVELEY slip to third after falling to defeat away at Romford, despite having chances to kill the game off before the half time interval. Petrit Elbi’s 11th minute goal had given the away side a deserved lead with the Millers firing out of the blocks in the first half.
Harlow have the largest “goals for” total in Division 7SE and Thurrock found themselves under heavy pressure from the start, however strong defensive work by Ethan Pinion, George McAllister and Declan Salmon backed up by some excellent saves from Andy Gaut held them at bay until midway through the half when a thunderous shot crept through Gaut’s legs and, despite the efforts of Matt Skinner crept over the line.
EAST Thurrock United completed their third away Ryman Premier win of the season and thoroughly deserved to take all the points, but their fragility when defending a lead once again saw their supporters nervously holding their breath through the game’s final few minutes.
