All five teams have much to play for on Saturday. Thurrock look to continue their climb up the table and it will be interesting to see how Sam Higgins performs as he returns for East Thurrock.
EAST THURROCK have made a key signing with the news that former top scorer has re-signed for them from Chelmsford City. Higgins netted 16 times in 27 games for the Blue Square Bet South high-flyers, including seven in the Clarets' run to the second round of the FA Cup but has now had his contract cancelled by mutual consent.
Grays travel to Cheshunt tonight who pulled off the shock of the season by beating Needham Market 2-0 on Saturday. This may be a good time to play them as that is a high that you may well come down from.
Central midfielder Kenny Beaney then released Sherwin Stanley down the left channel and the former Tonbridge striker cut inside and his right-footed angled drive was destined for the far corner, but Worgan dived to his left to tip the ball around the post, an excellent save.
The early exchanges were very even and Brentwood defended well after some strong runs from the Thurrock backs. A well struck penalty from 35metres, by Mark Brandon opened the scoring, after an infringement by the home side’s forwards.
It was a hard fought midfield battle with very few chances being created by either side but the one real chance created by Gemma Shepherd was converted by Carly Roache and sees the hammers progress into the 4th round draw at the FA on Monday morning.
TILBURY considered themselves unlucky to be beaten at Maldon, where Ollie Berquez, earned the ten-man home side the Ryman One North points with a 78th-minute spot-kick, just two minutes after Aaron Matthews wiped out Joe Sweeney’s first-half goal for the hosts.
When the match started we only had 27 seconds on the clock before Staines went ahead, the ball was played out wide to the left where Alex Duffy collected and drove in a low cross towards the near post, with Richard Butler closing in it was Thurrock’s Liam Harwood that got there first but he could not stop the ball hitting the back of the net.
The turning point came when keeper Steven Northwood upended in the box. with the gusting wind behind him, stepped up to take the penalty but the ball lashed against the crossbar back onto the pitch and was scurried away by a very grateful Grays.
Fleet will have learnt a few things from the midweek defeat at Woking. Expect them to come bouncing back at Staines while it is a key time now for Millermen as it looks they are part of five teams cut adrift at the bottom of the league.
