The game started, in what was to be the theme for the whole game, in scrappy fashion and it wasn’t until midway through the first half that Billericay had the first chance of the game but Harrison Chatting struck the ball straight at keeper Dave McCartney.
They will need to regroup and brush off this disappointment. Their 12 match winning run has gone, but they have a quick chance to start another with a home game against Harlow on Tuesday, while Needham, who have now enjoyed five straight successes themselves, go to Brentwood. With many games to go there is certainly no resolution to the title race in sight but you would think both these sides will be in the mix and it sets up an enthralling prospect when Needham go to East Thurrock on April 9 when Rocks will hope they can prove a point by playing their normal game.
It was a first game in charge for Harlow's joint caretaker managers Christian Wheeler and Danny Chapman, leading a team that were tipped for the title in August but like many Harlow regimes somehow seem to be torn apart by internal woes.
The Ship Lane revival continued here in the Royal County of Berkshire when Thurrock battled through a tough game to win their third successive league game giving hope and pleasure to their travelling supporters. Thurrock looked to be in control of the game from the off, testing the Maidenhead defence in the first minutes and where only playing for nine minutes when they took the lead.
Grays have been a resolute 4-4-2 so it was a surprise to see them come out 3-5-2 in the second half with Eljay taking his place on the left. The tactic was a stroke of genius as Grays totally over-ran the midfield and gave Simon Thomas and Alex Osbourn chances a plenty. Simon Thomas had missed from close range but Grays opened the scoring in the 53rd minute when the cross from John Docker was met by Worrall who leapt to head Grays into the lead.
TOMORROW will see one of the most exciting fixtures of the Ryman Division One North season as league leaders East Thurrock United take on the team in second place, Needham Market.
Match of the day in the league. Can Covo's men make it thirteen victories in a row? Needham believe they will score one more than you. Covo thinks otherwise.
Since that game, Grays have looked like a different team, playing with a rhythm and confidence that had been missing. The settled side has been a huge factor. Bradley Thomas has an assurance about him, Eljay Worrell is a very solid right back and Junior Baker is a leader among men. Having said all that, Grays gifted two goals last night; one in the 15th minute as keeper Stephen Northwood kicked the ball straight out to Needham's James Evans, who swept down the right, crossed to Sam Newsom who tucked the ball away for the first goal of the evening.
Max Cornhill forced a Kris Newby cross past Sudbury's besnooded keeper Nicky Eyre after 18 minutes and Newby effectively settled the game with two superb goals in the last eight minutes of the first half. They took his league tally to 17, second only to Leatherhead's Greg Andrews on 21, and he now has a real chance of following Martin Tuohy and Sam Higgins to become the third successive East Thurrock man to capture the award for the league's top scorer.
Truth is, Market may lose more points once the fall-out from Leyton's departure from the league becomes clear but the truth is that with East Thurrock thirteen points ahead of third place, this is, probably a two-horse race.
Many fans turning up to the Grays Ath v Maldon and Tiptree fixture on January 8th at Rookery Hill were surprised to see two van-loads full of riot-trained police officers plus strategically positioned vehicles around the Corringham area. The tactical deployment was repeated at Barrows Farm, Harlow yesterday (Saturday) for the Ryman Division One North fixture. Outside the ground a large police van was joined by a further two vehicles as a dozen officers patrolled outside the ground.
Despite the heavy pitch and long grass, it was the pace of the Aveley attackers that caused a headache for Horsham. Had they had their radar on properly, it could have been even better for the Millermen.
