THE ROCKS came back to force a replay in a highly entertaining FA Trophy match at the Rookery Hill. East Thurrock looked in fine fettle from the start as you would expect from a team that had won nine in a row!
L&M Electrical are the current holders of the new GetIntoFootball Thurrock Business League after receiving their shield at a special presentation tournament at St Clere’s School in Stanford-le-Hope on Thursday 12th January - now organiser Faye Lambert wants others to follow them and generate a second division next season.
It was difficult to pin-point what was wrong: they had the shape, they had the players, they simply weren't playing very well.
Louis Dennis came on in the 67th minute and had a great chance to score as he ran onto a pass in the box but all he could do was shoot lamely into keepers, Joe Wrights arms.
A STUNNING goal from Sam Higgins sparked a revival for East Thurrock who had gone behind in Tuesday’s Ryman Premier derby and inspired his side to lay a number of demons against their near neighbours and long time bogey club.
The home side flew out the blocks in the second half and caused Ilford problems. In the 53rd minute after persistent misconduct Ilford's Ajibola Olatunbosun was eventually cautioned by the referee. On 65 Tilbury were further in front when Emiel Aiken flew down the wing, crossed and Cook slotted home. Following substitutions, Tilbury went further ahead, when on 76 a quick Henty free kick found Aiken who crossed and Cook was again on the end of it to flick home.
David Knight put the Millers ahead with a penalty seven minutes after half-time but Carshalton replied with 20 minutes left when, after a bout of 'pass the parcel' in front of goal, Tony Finn took the most difficult of the various shooting opportunities and fired home from a tight angle.
WILLIAM EDWARDS student, Gemma Holloway was in magnificent form at the weekend as the 14-year-old Thurrock Harrier captured the Essex Cross Country Championships.
Aveley got back into the game when a Hastings error saw keeper Matt Armstrong-Ford who completely misjudged a deep cross from Paul Shave and allowed the ball to sail over his head for the equaliser. But Aveley just couldn't stay in touch and Pogue added a second just before half time when Jack Dixon’s cross was met by Danny Ellis whose clever back flick was thumped home by Pogue.
EAST Thurrock’s fine run of form continued with this emphatic Ryman Premier win when the Rocks stepped up a gear after an indifferent first half to completely outplay their visitors reports the Thurrock Enquirer. Leatherhead won a series of corners inside the first two minutes but despite a couple of goalmouth scrambles they came to nothing.
Needham Market lost and Leiston could only draw at home to lowly Ware. The second half was one of the poorest exhibitions of football that Grays have displayed all season but in many ways it matters not. You get the feeling that Hakan believes that his men just need to be near to the top and when we start to approach the business end of the league then they will come good.
Rocks continue to sail away from relegation fears and into mid-table respectability. Who said outside bet for the play-offs! Meanwhile things look bleak for Aveley and Thurrock as they lose again and good wins for the Blues and the Dockers.
Eight points adrift of safety but they are competitive under the new regime. No giving up as we enter 2012 for the Fleet. The Rocks are on a great run as Covo and his men have a real rhythm. Another win and they are looking at mid-table respectability. After that, who knows?
Russell then kept out two strikes from Newby and twice foiled close range efforts from sub Kye Ruel, on for Elbi for the last seven minutes, but there could almost have been a reward for Canvey in the second of four added minutes when John Easterford headed across the face of goal from close range and any sort of touch from anyone would surely have put the ball over the line but it escaped everybody and drifted an inch past the far post.
Thurrock started the New Year looking to forget the poor 2011 and still looking for their first home league win of the season, but up against a very good and confident City eleven it was never going to be an easy task.
