Twenty seven games in twenty seven days for the five teams in the borough. Everything to play for: Will the Rocks continue their fine run of form; will Thurrock and Aveley keep climbing out of the relegaiton zone while Grays face eight games in that period which may well define their season.
The weather has wiped out the two games involving teams from the borough. Indeed even Thurrock schools cross-country championships at Blackshots scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled.
Thurrock Primary School's District Football Team claimed their first piece of silverware of the season when they won the Essex round of the FA's National 7-a-side championship.
Maldon felt a sense of injustice, which was compounded on 78 minutes when the best move of the game saw Ruel lay a defence-splitting path into the path of the overlapping Joe Keith whose pin-point cross was headed home from close range by Newby.
Thurrock grabbed a vital three points in an impressive display and victory against fellow strugglers Lewes. The game started briskly as an early free kick for Lewes after foul on Lewis Ide but the kick was driven harmlessly wide. Rob Swaine looked bright up front but it was Lewes enjoying the majority of possession although most of the early exhanges were marked by mistimed passes and challenges.
Rocks gave away a three goal lead to draw when these sides met at Rookery Hill earlier in the season and they ended that match ruing their misfortune. This time they secured all the points but will possibly worry a little that they didn’t stamp their authority on the match well before the 77th minute winner. They set their stall out with some near interplay as early as the first minute with a move that ended with Reiss Gilbey shooting wide.
Cirencester broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. Junior Baker was harshly adjudged to have fouled just outside the box. Jamie Reid floated over the free kick and striker Jody Bevan rose above the Grays defence to head Cirencester into the lead. It was this point that the referee Chris O'Donnell started to make his presence felt and like his namesake he seemed intent on "robin" Grays of victory as time after time he made a series of baffling decisions.
East Thurrock continue their fine run of form as they grab all three points at Cheshunt while Grays are dumped out of the FA Trophy at home versus Cirencester.
Dave Smith manager of the team said ‘The boys are grateful for the new kit as the old one was coming up to three years old and the lads are a bit bigger now! This group of lads has been together since they were 5 years old and the core of the team still has the same individuals – it is great to see their commitment to training and playing rewarded by the generous donation’
GRAYS Ath have drawn Blue Square North outfit Gloucester City in the 1st round of the FA Trophy. Firstly, Grays have to overcome Cirencester Town in a replay tomorrow night at Rookery Hill following the 2-2 draw in the west country on Saturday afternoon.
A scrappy game in which both teams failed to dominate but Dartford just edged in front on chances and on 18 minutes they took the lead and perhaps had the better and greater chances in the opening 45 minutes. The Dartford goal came from a nice move which started with a run down the middle by Elliott Bradbrook he pushed the ball out wide for Ryan Hayes who took the ball on before crossing deep into the Thurrock box, the ball was headed back and Carl Rook, challenged by Kenny Clark managed from three yards to simply slot home the opener.
He said: "We have added an element of edge to our game that wasn't there previously. This has left us in a perfect league position in a league where six or seven teams can win it. Not just get into the play offs but win it.
Simon Thomas has been under pressure all season but today he sparkled for Grays and illustrated why only a couple of seasons ago he was playing for Crystal Palace. Thomas opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after a fine cross from the left saw Alex Osborn rose above the keeper nodded it down into the path of Thomas who neatly tapped the ball in.
