On 23 Tilbury were awarded the first questionable penalty when Alex Read burst into the box and adjudged to be pushed. Read hit home to the keepers left. Within 2 minutes Read played in Steve Good who headed just over the top. Chances were coming thick and fast for both sides Barnes also went close after Read's shot was blocked.
Fleet were competitive and battled back for a great away point. Another sold performance for the new regime at Aveley. Harsh for Rocks as they dont get the rub away at Harrow.
GRAYS surrendered a two goal league but an own goal by plucky Ilford in the 85th minute keeps the Blues in the promotion shake up.
Grays earned a free kick in the first minute. Harry Agombar swung it in and Ilford got it away for a corner. Grays were looking to continue where they left off on Wednesday.
GRAYS put themselves right back in the play-off picture with a barn-storming comeback against promotion rivals, Needham Market with a 4-2 victory at Rookery Hill last night (Wednesday). Once again, it was all one way traffic with Grays in an enforced 4-5-1 calling the shots.
Within 24 seconds of the 2nd half Soham levelled again when the ball was punted into the Tilbury box and with the ball bouncing around Dubi Ogbonna headed past Marrable in to the empty net. Soham continued pressurise the Tilbury back four and Simpson headed at goal only to be denied by a super James Marrable save. With the introduction of Joe Collins on 64 turned the match round. Within a minute his first run found Read who smashed home after the keeper dropped the ball at his feet. In the final 10 minutes both sides pushed for the vital goal and Ogbonna was left in space and put wide. Both Webb and Collins also had chances before Soham’s great effort on 87, when they again struck the post from the excellent Ogbonna.
Great night of football for the borough teams. Dockers still right in it after a fine win against Soham. Rocks were three up at half time but a great come back by Wingate spoils their evening.
Redbridge started the stronger and should have been in front after just a few minutes when Joe Gardner brought off a good save from ex Redbridge keeper James Marrable following Matt Turpin’s initial effort hitting the post
In the 30th minute, Aveley full back Sam Holloway produced a 30-yard piledriver which Lowestoft keeper Andy Reynolds did well to turn over the bar.
Lowestoft started to show their class as they went up the gears in the second half.Robert Eagle hit the post but Paul Burnett also had two good chances saved.
Soon after Stevenage hit Thurrock on the attack and with some sloppy defending they scored half time 4-2. The second half Thurrock kept pressing but couldn’t convert any of there great opportunities. As the game went on Thurrock defended strong, so strong with a bad tackle Nick Stapleton got rushed to hospital with a Broken Knuckle, Dec Millane then also picked up a injury and just to top it off Gary Ginzo got sin binned for a bad tackle. A bad day all round. Next week Thurrock face old Southendians.
Another late goal sunk Thurrock in a poor game that failed to keep even the hardiest supporter entertained. Sutton needed the points to keep their play off chances on track, whilst Thurrock needed a good performance as points at this stage seem incidental to the inevitable relegation awaiting them.
A SAM Higgins hat trick saw East Thurrock move one step closer to safety and with four games in hand a tilt at the play offs is unlikely but not out of the question.
An irresistible hat-trick from Sam Higgins as Covo's boys take another step nearer safety. Grays were comfortably in front and cruising but the sending off of Paul Olima changed the game.
The home side had justification to be unhappy with the decision on 9 minutes when Gary Henty was adjudged to have been tripped in the box, despite the Dockers captain not going to floor and the referee surprisingly pointed to the spot. Alex Read shot to the keepers right. The referee again blew and asked for a retake due to encroachment. The retake went the same way sending Madden the wrong way and giving Read his 3rd of the season against Ware.
The visitors looked quite comfortable until midway through the half, but the Colchester backs started to cause trouble. Some poor tackling, a series of penalties, and a sin binning for Bevans-Royston, all contrived to allow a great Colchester revival. A successful penalty kick was shortly followed by a converted try out wide.
Rocks came close to taking the lead when Kris Newby delivered a fine ball into the box. Collins clipped a header goalwards which came back off the post. He was well-placed to nod home the rebound but incredulously he headed wide with the net gaping.
