Aveley took a notable scalp as they beat title-chasing conference south side Braintree Town reports Colin Mumford from the Aveley fc website.
Carl Griffith may have been happier if it was three points in the league, but the Aveley boss was delighted with the all-round team performance and clean sheet in their 2-0 win over former manager Rod Stringer’s Braintree Town side in the Essex Senior Cup on Wednesday night.
It looked like the game could end in stalemate but the introduction of Araba for Richmond, who had worked hard without reward, changed the focal point of Rocks attack and he produced the game’s pivotal moment on 77 minutes when he received the ball on the halfway line with his back to goal. Two defenders shadowed him and little looked on but he twisted and took them out of the game before laying a sublime pass into the patch of Ruel who raced forward. Rafis stood tall and managed to get a hand to Ruel’s shot but not enough to stop it looping and bouncing into the net.
Grays scored the winner in the 52nd minute. Aiken produced good build up play as he thundered towards the Stansted goal. He slipped the ball to Alex Osbourn who slotted the ball past the keeper.
Tilbury made to look shabby in front of the Abbey. Tilbury were reduced to ten men on 64mins when Michael Toner committed a spate of fouls within a five minute spell and within a matter of minutes they paid the price when Liam Farrell was upended in a crowded area. He dusted himself down and made no mistake from 12 yards unlike 10 minutes later when, from what must have been only a couple of feet, he was somehow denied by an outstretched Marrable leg after receiving a pin-point pass from Ogunkoya.
EAST Thurrock United went to the top of the Ryman One North after emerging victorious from a superb match at Rookery Hill.
Both teams contributed equally to a match that will long be remembered for its pace, quality and drama – well reffed by Ian Fissenden and his assistants too.
Thurrock had a purple patch on thirty six minutes, it started with a long clearance by Joe Woolly which found David knight who did well to control the ball, he laid the ball out wide for Craig Dobson on the right flank, Dobson’s cross was long but Dean Cracknell running into the box struck a fine shot that was well saved by keeper Kitteridge and out for a corner. From the corner Kenny Clark rose to head and again the keeper pushed the ball out for a corner. This time the corner was deep to the far post and found Matt Bodkin, his volley was saved for yet another corner, from this came Thurrock’s best chance finding Phil Anderson unmarked and with a free header but unfortunately his aim was just to high as the ball cleared the bar.
GRAYS ATHLETIC produced their best performance of the season to hold the league leaders 1-1 in an exciting game at Summers Lane. For those who had endured underwhelming performances at Ware and Enfield to name just two, this was Julian Dick's Grays realising its potential for the first time.
East Thurrock go from strength to strength and Grays put on their best display of the season while Thurrock tough it out but go down to a single goal at Bishops Stortford.
Secretary Neil Speight led the way with a dazzling display with the shovel that illustrated how passionately the staff feel about the club.
Every single player turned up for training on the snow covered pitch last night as the team are determined to continue their fine run that saw them end November with a 100% record.
After an impressive performance against Lewes, Greg Lincoln will want to continue to carve out a similar performance against high-flying Stortford. The Rocks keep on rolling. Only three points off the top, Covo will want to get that top place by the end of the month.
Aveley were set to play high-flying Lowestoft tonight (Monday) but the Mill Field pitch is frozen. Both Grays and East Thurrock are set for away matches tomorrow night. We will let you know as soon as possible.
A 55th minute strike from Wealdstone midfielder Kieran Forbes was the difference between the two sides as Aveley boss Carl Griffiths fell to his first defeat as Millermen boss.
IT has been a great month for East Thurrock United and their boss John Coventry. They went through November winning every single game, placing them second in the league and with every opportunity of pushing on through christmas.
