A humiliation pure and simple as Thurrock's season goes back another two steps again. Rocks are definitely back on course with a fine win at FA Cup heroes Redbridge.
Harry's partnership with unsung hero, Kenny Beaney is crucial as well. Kenny does the simple things and does the simple things well. A tackle here, a touch there and a lay off at the right time have helped get the defence out of trouble and also been the start of an attack.
The central midfield isn't a wall and some teams (Aveley) have run through it but Hakan is never going to play a midfield that is a formidable wall. What they do need is an outlet up front that was not being provided with players such as Jean-Michel Sigere but is provided with Joe Sweeney or Leon McKenzie.
Omozusi, of Chafford Hundred, played 50 league games for the O’s, but lived a double life as a member of Hackney’s London Fields Boys gang. The 22-year-old was convicted alongside Jamal Francis, 21, of Navarino Road, and Shane Drew, 22, of Welshpool Street, Hackney, at Snaresbrook Crown Court for a intimidating an 18-year-old witness who gave key evidence in the trial of Leon Dunkley and Mohammed Smoured.
The Blues started to find their form and playing to feet started to get on top and a Carlos cross was hit over by Kenny Beaney and a run by Dixon hit wide when in space. Another free-kick for Harlow saw Taylor hit the ball to Marshall but hid run and shot went over the bar again as the Hawks tried to get back in. The game looked to be heading for a goal-less first half when a floated free-kick from Agombar dropped into the area for Baker to get his head to the ball a stop by Bossu saw the ball drop to Mckenzie for him to bundle the ball over the line to give Grays the lead with five minutes of the half to go.
There was drama at the other end soon after when Wray left his box to clear a ball wide on his right but he scuffed his clearance from near the touchline and it was smashed back goalwards by Stauronou and looked to be on its way in until the keeper’s sprint and desperate dive pulled the ball back from the brink.
Ms Dowds was brought in by the then Grays Ath manager Justin Edinburgh in 2007 to help with conditioning for the players. Although she was only there a few months, Angie struck up a friendship with midfielder Ernie Cooksey. When Ernie was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Angie was on hand to help the popular Ernie with his diet as well as emotional support.
Great three points for the Rocks as a penalty from Kris Newby gets their season back on track. Grays go joint top of the league with an away point against a durable Harlow Town. Full report to follow.
Dave Knight replaced Ryan Sammons for Rocks for the second half and might have made an impact just seven minutes after the restart when East Thurrock for once played the ball with precision on the deck and the final pass from Ruel set him free but his shot went past the upright.
Thurrock were beginning to look the more dangerous on the break exploiting the gaps in the Hampton defence and on 28 minutes Lee Boylan took advantage when a defensive header from James White but Boylan on a run and from just inside the penalty area he struck a low right footed shot that left the keeper Craig Ross stranded as the ball hit the back of the net.
Great away win for Thurrock as things look like turning. Great first win for Aveley and Lee Hodges. Back to earth with a bump for the Rocks as they lose 5-2,
The deadlock was soon broken. In the 11th minute, Agombar found space just outside the box, slipped it to Joao Carlos on the left who picked his spot low and hard to the right of the area.
Back to the business in hand of being second from bottom in the league for East Thurrock. Back to the business of being bottom of the league for Thurrock Plus a very key week for Grays Athletic.
On Saturday more than 1,200 people packed Rookery Hill to see the Rocks in FA Cup first round action. Just 71 were present to see this game against the Ryman league’s other FA Cup first round heroes – who face a replay against Oxford City next week. Redbridge, with an Essex Senior Cup tie on Wednesday, fielded a much weakened side and in the opening exchanges were pushed by Rocks slick passing.
Ryman Premier Division side Aveley have named former West Ham and Scunthorpe midfielder Lee Hodges as their new manager. He succeeds Carl Griffiths, who was sacked earlier this month, after the club's poor start to the season. Hodges, 33, is taking on his first managerial role.
