Fleet went away empty handed but will have plenty to be encouraged by.The Dockers keep plugging away and welcome another three points as they continue to plug away for those play-off places.Another unconvincing performance by Grays who should have been out of sight but instead let Romford back into the game.
Fourteen matches for you to choose from over the eight day festive period. Thurrock have a stiff challenge both home and away versus Chelmsford. East Thurrock and Aveley face a keen derby on December 27th whilst Grays have three very winnable games to help sustain their promotion challenge.
It came 35 minutes into the first half which was largely dominated by the Rocks, who started brightly though the evening's first real chance came on ten minutes when Laurent Hamici's drive was blocked by Simon Peddie, who was to go on and play an emphatic and dominating role at the heart of the visitors' defence alongside Ben Wood.
However, Lee Hodges' Millers are made of sterner stuff and Aveley substitute Jake Cass, recently recruited from East Thurrock United, was introduced on the hour and he made an instant impression, scoring exactly ten seconds after play resumed.
Rocks seized the early initiative and pressed their visitors back with Berkley Laurencin getting down smartly to smother Kris Newby’s drilled cross, Sam Higgins firing just wide from the edge of the box and then Frank Sinclair doing well to block Matt Hall’s fierce drive.
It was Jamie Guy that put Thurrock in front on 25 minutes, finishing off a well worked move which started deep in the Thurrock half. The ball was passed around in midfield by Paul Terry and Stuart Thurgood before Nathan Ashton went on a run down the left flank, his cross was deflected but fell into the path of Jamie Guy who side footed with power past the keeper into the back of the net.
Both sides had early chances, with Clifton for Romford and King for Tilbury. On 15 Romford almost took the lead when following a goalmouth scramble, Conor Mead nearly put through his own net. On 30 new signing Ellis Skidmore blazed over.
TONIGHT MATTHEW, Grays Athletic are going to be England. Unfortunately, this was England v West Germany in 1970. Cruising, 2-0 up. You make substitutions and you end up blowing the game. But hindsight is a wonderful thing and it all made sense at the time but the moment Agombar, Cowley and Sweeney went off, the creative heart went out of the team. Having said that, it may have been the defence who ended up being the achilles heel.
A transformed team who took the runaway leaders all the way. Life in Thurrock yet! Disappointing but a determined effort by Aveley. Still out of the relegation zone which is the main thing.
EAST THURROCK United have been drawn at home to Conference South side Hampton and Richmond in the last sixteen of the FA Trophy. The tie is due to take place on Saturday January 14th at Rookery Hill, Corringham.
The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute after another goalmouth scramble. It was Antony Ryan who scuffed the ball home. Ryan is a combative young player with an aggressive style but has clearly impressed in training and is now starting to forge quite a partnership with Joe Sweeney.
The second half saw Thurrock with a bit more fight and determination, but with the Home side easing off they allowed Thurrock to come forward. With only 8 minutes remaining debutant full back Nathan Ashton finished off a fine move scoring from inside the penalty area.
EAST THURROCK produce a fine battling performance to beat Conference South contenders 2-1 in an exciting FA Trophy battle at Rookery Hill. First threat from Welling as a fine strike by former Grays striker Andy Pugh whistled past the post.
