There was drama at the other end soon after when Wray left his box to clear a ball wide on his right but he scuffed his clearance from near the touchline and it was smashed back goalwards by Stauronou and looked to be on its way in until the keeper’s sprint and desperate dive pulled the ball back from the brink.
Ms Dowds was brought in by the then Grays Ath manager Justin Edinburgh in 2007 to help with conditioning for the players. Although she was only there a few months, Angie struck up a friendship with midfielder Ernie Cooksey. When Ernie was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Angie was on hand to help the popular Ernie with his diet as well as emotional support.
Great three points for the Rocks as a penalty from Kris Newby gets their season back on track. Grays go joint top of the league with an away point against a durable Harlow Town. Full report to follow.
Dave Knight replaced Ryan Sammons for Rocks for the second half and might have made an impact just seven minutes after the restart when East Thurrock for once played the ball with precision on the deck and the final pass from Ruel set him free but his shot went past the upright.
Thurrock were beginning to look the more dangerous on the break exploiting the gaps in the Hampton defence and on 28 minutes Lee Boylan took advantage when a defensive header from James White but Boylan on a run and from just inside the penalty area he struck a low right footed shot that left the keeper Craig Ross stranded as the ball hit the back of the net.
Great away win for Thurrock as things look like turning. Great first win for Aveley and Lee Hodges. Back to earth with a bump for the Rocks as they lose 5-2,
The deadlock was soon broken. In the 11th minute, Agombar found space just outside the box, slipped it to Joao Carlos on the left who picked his spot low and hard to the right of the area.
Back to the business in hand of being second from bottom in the league for East Thurrock. Back to the business of being bottom of the league for Thurrock Plus a very key week for Grays Athletic.
On Saturday more than 1,200 people packed Rookery Hill to see the Rocks in FA Cup first round action. Just 71 were present to see this game against the Ryman league’s other FA Cup first round heroes – who face a replay against Oxford City next week. Redbridge, with an Essex Senior Cup tie on Wednesday, fielded a much weakened side and in the opening exchanges were pushed by Rocks slick passing.
Ryman Premier Division side Aveley have named former West Ham and Scunthorpe midfielder Lee Hodges as their new manager. He succeeds Carl Griffiths, who was sacked earlier this month, after the club's poor start to the season. Hodges, 33, is taking on his first managerial role.
One of the leading contenders is Gemma Holloway, who will be continuing her campaign to take the under 15 girls title. Among the veterans Eamonn Shelley and Jon Metcalf will strive to defend their 1 and 2 positions in the 50+ age group.
IT WASN'T pretty but it was three points as Grays continued their promotion push with a 4-1 win against Soham Town Rangers,
In the second minute, Lee Flynn produced a great cross from the left. It found Danny Bunce but with the gao at his mercy he could only head it straight at the keeper, Daniel Bircham.
IT WAS the stuff of dreams but there was no happy ending for East Thurrock after they went down 3-0 to League Two Macclesfield Town. A bumper crowd of 1207 saw the Rocks start brightly. Kye Ruel went in early and dispossessed a sleepy Silks defence as the Rocks looked to set their stall out.
Living the dream, it has been quite a week for the Rookery Hill boys. Covo will know to leave the hype at the door and get the Rocks to play the game of their life. It is a marathon and not a sprint!
