Stanley and Orlando Smith came close to levelling the scores, the latter forcing a fine save from keeper Nicky Morgan who tipped a looping, deflected shot over bar, but once Harrison Chatting made it 2-0 with another long-range strike in the 35th minute the result was rarely in doubt, with Billericay cheered on by the vast majority of fans in a crowd of 472.
As the league table might suggest, Billericay always looked the better of the two sides but they struggled to create clear cut chances in the first half, the nearest anyone coming to a goal being a long throw from Junior Luke that drifted across the front of goal with no-one on hand to get a vital touch.
However, the Ryman One North points crucial to Hawks’ chances of securing a play-off space were secured with Steve Ferguson’s 15th minute goal. It came after David Cowley and Daniel Brown combined to set up the chance and Ferguson smashed the ball home.
AS MANAGER John Coventry said after the game: "It is just three points" You can understand John's measured response in the light of the two previous seasons but the Rocks took a massive step towards promotion with this victory against second placed Needham Market.
A disappointing result for Thurrock keeping them far too close to the relegation zone for comfort, with only four games remaining three of which are against teams in the top five.
Thamesmead continued the pressure trying to level. The Momodu's combined well, after a defensive mix up, for the ball to go wide from Gabe. Mick Davis found himself clear and shot from 25 yards to see the ball go just over the bar. Grays were starting to get back into the play and soaked up the attacks. On 25 minutes Danny Bunce picked up the ball and hit it long to Steve Demetriou who's shot deflected off Jared Small into the path of Fontaine who cooly lifted the ball over Mott to put Grays 2 – 0 up on 25 minutes.
IT IS without doubt their biggest game of the season. In many ways it is their biggest game for the last three seasons as East Thurrock United welcome second placed Needham Market at Rookery Hill. Table toppers East Thurrock have had a brilliant season under the sage guidance of John Coventry.
AVELEY have produced two fine performances over the last three days to really raise their hopes against relegation. With five games to go they have now pulled away from the relegation zone by three points.
It took to the 75th minute for the next main chance when a long through ball from Aaron Matthews found Ben Boyce who under pressure flicked the ball past the on-coming goalkeeper to seal the three points for Tilbury.
t was, to most observers, rough justice on Heybridge but East Thurrock, whose manager John Coventry was announced as the March manager of the Month winner on Saturday morning, will also feel that on the balance of play they deserved the victory.
Abbey attacked from the start when Tyler Campbell found himself clear to shoot wide before Athletic had a chance to settle on the ball, a wake up call that Grays immediately took notice of and returned the attack when Si Thomas ran clear but the bounce of the pitch deceived him as he put it wide. The early exchanges continued as both teams crafted an end to end first half. Manny Osei's pace and Campbell's guile caused the Blues defence a challenge as they tried to wend their way through and Brad Thomas and Eljay Worrell had to be on their game to cope.
