It was Jamie Guy that put Thurrock in front on 25 minutes, finishing off a well worked move which started deep in the Thurrock half. The ball was passed around in midfield by Paul Terry and Stuart Thurgood before Nathan Ashton went on a run down the left flank, his cross was deflected but fell into the path of Jamie Guy who side footed with power past the keeper into the back of the net.
Both sides had early chances, with Clifton for Romford and King for Tilbury. On 15 Romford almost took the lead when following a goalmouth scramble, Conor Mead nearly put through his own net. On 30 new signing Ellis Skidmore blazed over.
TONIGHT MATTHEW, Grays Athletic are going to be England. Unfortunately, this was England v West Germany in 1970. Cruising, 2-0 up. You make substitutions and you end up blowing the game. But hindsight is a wonderful thing and it all made sense at the time but the moment Agombar, Cowley and Sweeney went off, the creative heart went out of the team. Having said that, it may have been the defence who ended up being the achilles heel.
A transformed team who took the runaway leaders all the way. Life in Thurrock yet! Disappointing but a determined effort by Aveley. Still out of the relegation zone which is the main thing.
EAST THURROCK United have been drawn at home to Conference South side Hampton and Richmond in the last sixteen of the FA Trophy. The tie is due to take place on Saturday January 14th at Rookery Hill, Corringham.
The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute after another goalmouth scramble. It was Antony Ryan who scuffed the ball home. Ryan is a combative young player with an aggressive style but has clearly impressed in training and is now starting to forge quite a partnership with Joe Sweeney.
The second half saw Thurrock with a bit more fight and determination, but with the Home side easing off they allowed Thurrock to come forward. With only 8 minutes remaining debutant full back Nathan Ashton finished off a fine move scoring from inside the penalty area.
EAST THURROCK produce a fine battling performance to beat Conference South contenders 2-1 in an exciting FA Trophy battle at Rookery Hill. First threat from Welling as a fine strike by former Grays striker Andy Pugh whistled past the post.
GRAYS got their season back on track with a comprehensive thrashing of bottom of the league outfit, Ilford at Cricklefields Stadium. Striker, Antony Ryan struck twice. Opening the scoring in the third minute and adding a second in the 57th.
The good news is that Needham Market have had a little stumble as well illustrating that the league can only be lost at Christmas and not won. But considering that Grays had, at one stage, a chance to go ten points clear, they now sit in fifth place, eight points behind the leaders and just this one game in hand against bottom side Ilford.
The strength and depth of running throughout the school is improving each year at William Edwards which is evidenced in the results. Coupled together with the recent success that we have had in the national competition with both our junior boys and inter girls reaching the regional finals, the standard of running from our athletes is amazing.
WELL marshalled and driven by skipper Gary McDonald, Kingstonian did just enough to put paid to struggling East Thurrock thanks to Sam Clayton’s second half goal.
There was little between the two sides, but Rocks rarely threatened to take the win, though it was a much improved performance than their last outing.
