Tilbury went in to their league fixture against leaders Maldon & Tiptree in good heart after returning to winning ways at Ilford last week. With ex Maldon centre half Paul King celebrating his 100th appearance for the Dockers and the return of Captain Gary Henty, Tilbury started well.
AVELEY produced a sumptuous display of attacking football to come away with a 5-0 win away to one of their promotion rivals, Potters Bar Town.
A hat-trick from Shane Oakley, wrapped up by a confident spot kick in the second half, along with goals from Petrit Elbi and Jay Leader capped off a dominating afternoon for the visitors in a game that prior to kick off had the makings of being a tight affair.
WITH three first half goals Wanadio (7) Paxman (28) and Honesty (45) Thurrock were always dominant. Looking at the league table perhaps Kinstonian thought the visit would be an easy task, but anyone who had seen Thurrock in recent weeks new that their league position did not reflect their performances on the pitch.
A great result for the Fleet as they show they are far from finished in the league. Injury ravaged Rocks will be delighted at grabbing all three points away at Wingate. The entertainment kings do it again as Aveley score five against fellow contenders.
A MUCH improved Grays Athletic put in an impressive performance against fellow promotion contenders to beat Thamesmead Town 3-0 at Rush Green Stadium. Grays started the stronger with the team playing neat triangles on the right hand side. The Blues were playing in an adventurous 4-3-3 formation.
WELL, WE WERE fairly sure East Thurrock United boss, John Coventry wasn't going to the Grays Athletic Christmas party and this would appear to confirm it. Covo has gone on the record to put the record straight over the recent team selection at the Essex Senior Cup tie against Grays Athletic.
Thurrock's seniors were again out in force again for 2nd round of the Essex Cross Country League at Colchester on Saturday. In spite of recent heavy rain the course provided good conditions. The senior men who were not fielding the very strong team that featured in the first match did well to finish 5th.
The Millers once again produced some injury-time heroics with a 93rd minute Junior Appiah goal stealing a vital three points against Needham Market.
Junior Appiah's goal, three minutes into injury, was the sixth time this season that the Millers have scored in the 90th minute or later, and the goal proved vital as it sent Aveley up to second in the table behind unbeaten Maldon and Tiptree.
Hsama Hamdan gave the visitors the lead just after half an hour as he drilled the ball past George Kamurasi. The chance came from a long free kick which wasn’t dealt with by Junior Baker and Ryan Kirby, and it allowed the lively Ilford striker a free run on goal. Blues were claiming for a foul on Baker, but with nothing given, Kenny Beaney then received a caution for dissent.
EAST Thurrock grabbed a lead against the run of play in Tuesday’s Ryman Premier clash at Rookery Hill but in the end the all round experience and class of the visitors, allied to some indecisive defending and a lack of confidence from the Rocks, saw them to victory and fifth place in the table.
Paul Vaughan made changes to the side with Mead, Pooley and Carlile in for Smith, King and Henty. The Dockers started strong in the opening period with Wraight having his early effort blocked before Aiken crossed and Tom Wraight was denied by a last ditch tackle. The excellent Joe Nightingill cleared well from a corner as the ball went to goal.
AVELEY returned to winning ways with a convincing 4-1 home win against Soham Town Rangers thanks in no small part to a Danny Hopkins double.
Two goals from midfielder Hopkins, either side of the half time interval, provided the basis of a performance that manager Justin Gardner described as the Millers’ best of the season so far.
JARED Small rescued a point for Blues ten minutes from time, as both sides struggled to play attractive football on difficult pitch at Capershotts.
With Craig Pope suffering with flu, captain Lee Flynn switched to right back, with Junior Baker again partnering Ryan Kirby at the centre of defence. Jack West was again unavailable due to work commitments, which meant Jared Small and Joe Sweeney started the match together up front. One-time Blues goalkeeper Jake Whincup lined up in goal for the hosts.
Organised and efficient, Conference North leaders easily dispatched Fleet in the FA Trophy. Jared Small ten minutes from time grabs a vital point for the Blues. The free scoring Aveley put another four in the net as they continue to impress.
