The Rocks will be looking to stretch their lead and Grays will be put to a stringent test against Enfield. An interesting night of football for three of the borough's teams.
Stuart was known for his trademark battling midfield style where it seemed he was doing the job of four men. John Still tried for two years to bring him to Victoria Road such was his admiration of the midfielder. He finally got his man from Grays at the start of the 2009/10 season and the season started so brightly for him.
The first half was an evenly fought out contest with both teams creating chances, the Hammers back four where more than able to deal with the Pompey threat despite having to be reshuffled because Jo Woodgates and captain Nat Grafton were unavailable so Tracey Duxford dropped back and Danica Revell came up from the reserves and along with Rosey Sullivan and Jess Barling they were outstanding.
In the second half, the Dockers found it very difficult to contain Enfield who scored on 53 minutes from a set piece corner. The game was taken away from Tilbury on the 57th minutes when Enfield scored their second goal. Tilbury found it hard with playing with ten men for sixth time this season.
Thurrock opened the scoring after they were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out on the right, Lee Flynn line up the free kick, his shot which was goal bound produced a fine save from keeper Chris Tardif diving to his right but he could not hold onto the ball, as the ball rolled out its was Danny Hart that reacted quickest to flick home his first for Thurrock.
But the real action happened in the second half. Ishmael Welsh came on for Stephen Demetriou and simply took up where he left off on the Blue Square Premier. In the 54th minute, Welsh streaked down the right, crossed and Jared Small fired the ball past the Sudbury keeper, whom although getting a hand to it, just failed to keep the ball out.
Cissoko scored the last ever goal at the New Rec, back in April, against Forest Green Rovers and many fans will look forward to seeing the defensive midfielder plying his trade in the Ryman Div One North.
Grays Athletic will travel to Bury St Edmunds to take on Ryman Premier's unbeaten outfit Bury Town. With five wins on the bounce, Grays look impressive and will no doubt see another tilt at superior opposition as an opportunity and not a problem.
Grays went into the lead from nowhere. In the 26th minute, Jason Fontaine picked up the ball from thirty yards out. His shot looked like it was going over but dipped over keeper Delroy Priddie's head and into the net.
Just a single goal was the difference between the two sides but the Hammers must feel more disappointed knowing that with a little more conviction they could have beaten the visitors who play in the division above after winning promotion last season.
Thurrock are still looking for their first win but with keeper Joe Woolley and centre back Phil Anderson making their first appearance of the season due to injury all the signs where on show that Thurrock are nearly back to their best.
