Kevin Malthouse returned to the side and made an instant impact on the game. After only 5 minutes, following good forward play by Steve Good, Malthouse beat the defender and crossed for Emiel Aiken who nipped in to score. A minute later, Aaron Matthews was played in and hit the bar. On 10 and the visitors dominating, Malthouse again crossed and Matthews shot just wide of the upright.
THE FOOTBALL Association are set to launch an investigation into an incident at last weeks FA Cup match involving Tilbury. Tilbury lost 2-1 to Arlesey Town but there was alleged to have been an incident where a spectator confronted a linesmen.
Ref Cooper was not making any friends among the visiting fans and when David Knight sarcastically applauded when the ref gave the Blues a free-kick he came the fourth visiting player in the book. The away mood wasn’t lightened when May headed the ball in from close range soon after, only for it to be ruled out for offside. Rocks’ Kye Ruel became the first home player cautioned for a late challenge on Haines after 40 minutes.
Lee Boylan had two opportunities to open the scoring for the home side, first on 20 minutes after some excellent build up play from Dean Cracknell and Steve Ferguson who put Boylan through only to see his shot hit the bar and away for a goal kick.
TWO second half goals saw Grays Ath maintain their unbeaten run in the league as they beat Brentwood Town 2-1. Grays took a little time to deal with the long grass and it certainly slowed down Joao Carlos and David Cowley.
Two seasons ago, Lowestoft ran away from the rest and looked heads and shoulders, the best team. Needham started in similar vein but around February, started to seize up. It is far too early to think about that and indeed many teams in the league would love that luxury but it may be worth keeping an eye on.
Nothing seems to be going write for the Fleet at the moment as they lost 3-1 at Ship Lane this evening. Goals by Eddy Hutchinson, Ollie Rowe, Gary Hart and ex-Grays Ath Ben Watson made it another depressing night for Robbie Garvey's men.
After the game Captain Gary Henty commented " Unlucky we did not get a draw out of today's game. We had some good pressure in the second half. The winning goal was against the run of play" The Dockers return to the league on Saturday when they travel in to Hertfordshire to play Potters Bar Town. 3.00pm
A BUMPER crowd enjoyed an action packed local FA Cup derby which saw Aveley run out winners 2-1 at Rookery Hill. In the 2nd minute, a neat through ball by Kenny Beaney was just too long for Jean-Michel Sigere. Aveley looked organised and seemed prepared to play the long ball and wait for their chance.
Havant wasted no time after the restart to extend their lead, in the 47th minute they won a corner on the right, the ball was driven in and young Ryan Woodford was running in unmaked and had a free header the flew into the back of the net. Glenn Poole had a great chance to reduce the deficit less than 60 seconds later after Alex Osborns shot came back off the post but Pooles effort went high and wide.
EAST THURROCK did just enough to carve out a victory by beating Bedford Town 1-0 in the 1st preliminary round of the FA Cup at Rookery Hill. Bedford should have opened the scoring in the 5th minute when Callum Lewis stroked the ball from inside the area; Richard Wray palmed it way and Rocks were lucky there was no-one there to stroke it home.
FA Cup weekend includes a great local derby in Grays Ath v Aveley. Who are the favourites here? Aveley have proven hard to break down in the premier but Grays are the form team in the Div One North, unbeaten this season.
