DOCKERS boss Paul Vaughan was delighted with the second win on the bounce for Tilbury as they beat Ilford 2-1 at Chadfields. After last weeks victory over Harlow and recent excellent displays, Tilbury are keen to build upon the improvements.
The man of the match was Abbey keeper Harry Ricketts as time after time he kept the Grays attack at bay. Critics may say that Gray should have tucked the chances away but his finger tips saves were a sight to see on a bone chillingly cold day.
Gray started with confidence and style as the recent run had imbued the players with self belief. An early Steven Demetriou shot was cleared off the line and John Docker, still looking somewhat isolated on the right showed invention and wit as he made chance after chance for the attack.
There was a tentative start to the match with neither side keen to press forward, but East Thurrock gradually began to take the ascendency and on ten minutes Kris Newby received the ball on the edge of the box. His first shot was charged down and he was fouled as he tried a second time. But at the third time of asking, from the free kick, he drilled the ball low into the net despite the despairing dive of Morris Sanders.
Another victory for Thurrock as they continue to improve. Great away win for the Dockers but a bad day for East Thurrock as they lose at home and surrender the top spot.
In a badly lit stadium both teams played out a tough workmanlike match. Winter in the Ryman league is always going to be a leveller, so Waltham Forest, on a run of four games without a defeat, against an un-changed Athletic on a run of good form should have been a feast of good football but ended as a midfield tussle with both teams looking to score on the break.
Speaking after the recent 4 -0 cup win over Brentwood Tigers, Neil explained how the squad deserved all the praise. It is just reward for all their hard work that they have put in this season during training and he hoped that the good work continued for the rest of the season. As always, the team would not be as well equipped without those all-important sponsors that help out financially. So thanks to Danes Corner Sandwich Bar , Corringham (01375 670000) and AJ Children & Adult Entertainer (AJentertainer.com ) for their invaluable help.
Another splendid and perhaps true grit performance from Thurrock in this local derby, going behind after just 90 seconds and with Ebbsfleets place exposing the Thurrock defence during the early exchanges it was with high anticipation that the Thurrock supporters looked to see if they could pull this one out of the bag and maintain Grant Gordon's unbeaten run as Manager.
On a wet and slippy surface they set a high tempo from the off and might have opened the scoring in the third minute when Joe Keith’s exquisitely delivered free kick opened the far post door for Kris Newby to head home but he was slightly off target and the ball came back off the inside of the post and across the face of goal to safety.
The game started, in what was to be the theme for the whole game, in scrappy fashion and it wasn’t until midway through the first half that Billericay had the first chance of the game but Harrison Chatting struck the ball straight at keeper Dave McCartney.
They will need to regroup and brush off this disappointment. Their 12 match winning run has gone, but they have a quick chance to start another with a home game against Harlow on Tuesday, while Needham, who have now enjoyed five straight successes themselves, go to Brentwood. With many games to go there is certainly no resolution to the title race in sight but you would think both these sides will be in the mix and it sets up an enthralling prospect when Needham go to East Thurrock on April 9 when Rocks will hope they can prove a point by playing their normal game.
It was a first game in charge for Harlow's joint caretaker managers Christian Wheeler and Danny Chapman, leading a team that were tipped for the title in August but like many Harlow regimes somehow seem to be torn apart by internal woes.
The Ship Lane revival continued here in the Royal County of Berkshire when Thurrock battled through a tough game to win their third successive league game giving hope and pleasure to their travelling supporters. Thurrock looked to be in control of the game from the off, testing the Maidenhead defence in the first minutes and where only playing for nine minutes when they took the lead.
Grays have been a resolute 4-4-2 so it was a surprise to see them come out 3-5-2 in the second half with Eljay taking his place on the left. The tactic was a stroke of genius as Grays totally over-ran the midfield and gave Simon Thomas and Alex Osbourn chances a plenty. Simon Thomas had missed from close range but Grays opened the scoring in the 53rd minute when the cross from John Docker was met by Worrall who leapt to head Grays into the lead.
