By the narrowest of margins Thurrock go through to the third qualifying round with a less than convincing performance giving them a home tie against Arlesey Town. Both keepers had little to do in a match that promised lots but failed in the final stages to produce clear goal scoring opportunities.
Will the heat of Saturday have taken its toll on both sets of players? The Kent Senior League side may have had their best chance when 2-0 up against the Fleet. Expect Thurrock to raise their game tonight.
THE Thundermite League provided a fantastic tournament open to all teams of year one children where the order of the day was sportsmanship and points were awarded to teams for "fair play" and goals were not counted in line with FA guidance for children competing under the age of seven.
Praise must go to Cheshunt who never gave up, who never stopped running, who exposed the questionable stamina of the Grays team and gave hope to all the other teams in the league that Grays can be exposed.
"CONCENTRATE ON the league" gets its first airing of the year as Aveley lost 1-0 to Hanworth Villa in the 2nd preliminary round of the FA Cup. A second half strike by Levi King sealed it for the Middlesex side who ply their trade in the Combined Counties Premier league.
VCD started the better and before Thurrock had settled James Duckworth put the home side in front on 3 minutes. With some neat one touch football they opened up the Thurrock defence and when Billy Bennett put Duckworth through he had the simple task of side footing home from about 12 yards.
In the fifth minute of added time, it looked like Tilbury had taken all the points when Jack West rifled home in to the net. Despite the celebrations, the assistant referee was flagging for offside, as he adjudged the ball had come off another Tilbury forward. This upset the visitors and Mbiyeye Medine expressed his disappointment and was sent off for his comments.
Thurrock pull it out of the fire after being 2-0 down at one stage against team three leagues below them. Replay Monday. Entertaining six goals in the sun as Rocks go back to Herts on Tuesday.
In the 67th minute, Haworth turned the Rocks defenders inside out, he struck the ball low and hard but again keeper Wray was there to save his team. It was great to see Sam Higgins come on as sub after injury however the whole pace of the game dropped as players wilted in the heat.
IT'S not often that Thurrock's athletes make a challenge in championship races but at the weekend Thurrock's 50+ veteran's team did just that in the Southern Road Relays. These were held at the picturesque Rushmore Arena Course in Aldershot. The Club's challenge was led by Jon Metcalf. He ran superbly to finish 2nd with a time of 22m 22s. Jon's best distances are the 800 and 1500m but this outing showed that he can excel at the longer distances.
TWO YEARS ago, when East Thurrock played Lowestoft in the Ryman Div One North, many looked at the Trawlermen and asked what they were doing in that league. Last night, it was deja vu as the Trawlermen took the Rocks apart as they look like they continue their inexorable rise.
The Dockers struck after ten minutes when former Harlow player Bradley Barnes slid the ball home unmarked at the near post. The closest Harlow came to levelling was when Piers Wixon latched onto Leon Lalite’s precise through ball, but he was denied by keeper James Marrable.
Fantastic win for the Millermen as they take apart form team Canvey whilst Grays let a two goal lead slip but Louis Dennis 74th minute winner sees the Blues go into October unbeaten in the league.
