Another late goal sunk Thurrock in a poor game that failed to keep even the hardiest supporter entertained. Sutton needed the points to keep their play off chances on track, whilst Thurrock needed a good performance as points at this stage seem incidental to the inevitable relegation awaiting them.
A SAM Higgins hat trick saw East Thurrock move one step closer to safety and with four games in hand a tilt at the play offs is unlikely but not out of the question.
An irresistible hat-trick from Sam Higgins as Covo's boys take another step nearer safety. Grays were comfortably in front and cruising but the sending off of Paul Olima changed the game.
The home side had justification to be unhappy with the decision on 9 minutes when Gary Henty was adjudged to have been tripped in the box, despite the Dockers captain not going to floor and the referee surprisingly pointed to the spot. Alex Read shot to the keepers right. The referee again blew and asked for a retake due to encroachment. The retake went the same way sending Madden the wrong way and giving Read his 3rd of the season against Ware.
Representing Thurrock, Gemma Holloway, a 14 year old William Edwards Student and Thurrock Harrier, once again proved what a talented up and coming athlete she is.
The visitors looked quite comfortable until midway through the half, but the Colchester backs started to cause trouble. Some poor tackling, a series of penalties, and a sin binning for Bevans-Royston, all contrived to allow a great Colchester revival. A successful penalty kick was shortly followed by a converted try out wide.
Rocks came close to taking the lead when Kris Newby delivered a fine ball into the box. Collins clipped a header goalwards which came back off the post. He was well-placed to nod home the rebound but incredulously he headed wide with the net gaping.
Aveley started the second half in determined fashion and levelled just four minutes after the break when on the counter attack, new boy Billy Holland broke free down the right hand side and crossed from the byline to allow Daniel Francis a three yard tap in.
Thurrock then looked like a relegated side for the next few minutes as Basingstoke scored at will adding another two goals They increased their advantage on 27 minutes from the penalty spot, keeper Hughes came out and unfairly challenged resulting in a booking and a penalty. Wes Daley stepped up and converted the spot kick.
Mixed results across the borough. Well done Dockers. Now level on points with the final play off spot. They simply refuse to give up.Rocks will not have given up on the play offs so will be disappointed that they failed to get all three points at the Dripping Pan.
Grays found it hard to get into their stride and started to wear the face of the victim very early. Junior Baker and Harry Agombar were booked before fifteen minutes elapsed and there were howls of protests when Joao Carlos dived in the area.
The single goal scoreline flattered the visitors who were on the back-foot for most of the match and really only threatened once in the match reports the Thurrock Enquirer. That incident came midway through a scrappy first half when a couple of corners heaped pressure on the some defence and they were grateful to scramble the ball off the line in a goalmouth melee which saw Lewes supporters, if not their players, screaming for the award of goal.
Tilbury opened brightly and both Tilbury's forwards Alex Read and Tom Webb linked up well, causing the Needham's defence some concern. Tilbury took a well deserved lead on 13 minutes when man of the match Emiel Aiken smashed home from 20 yards in to the bottom corner. On 25 the effective Aiken played in Bradley Barnes who was denied and then Tom Webb struck from 40 yards that whistled just whistled over the bar, before Needham were dealt a blow in the half hour when Duane Wright was dismissed for his second foul on Eljay Worrell.
"He has been on our radar for a while now, and we have watched his progress with interest over the past year or so. We beleive Justin has the desire and commitment levels required to be sucessful, something that has been disappointing in managers that we have appointed since the departure of Rod Stringer to Braintree some 18 months ago.
