EAST Thurrock United went to the top of the Ryman One North after emerging victorious from a superb match at Rookery Hill.
Both teams contributed equally to a match that will long be remembered for its pace, quality and drama – well reffed by Ian Fissenden and his assistants too.
Thurrock had a purple patch on thirty six minutes, it started with a long clearance by Joe Woolly which found David knight who did well to control the ball, he laid the ball out wide for Craig Dobson on the right flank, Dobson’s cross was long but Dean Cracknell running into the box struck a fine shot that was well saved by keeper Kitteridge and out for a corner. From the corner Kenny Clark rose to head and again the keeper pushed the ball out for a corner. This time the corner was deep to the far post and found Matt Bodkin, his volley was saved for yet another corner, from this came Thurrock’s best chance finding Phil Anderson unmarked and with a free header but unfortunately his aim was just to high as the ball cleared the bar.
GRAYS ATHLETIC produced their best performance of the season to hold the league leaders 1-1 in an exciting game at Summers Lane. For those who had endured underwhelming performances at Ware and Enfield to name just two, this was Julian Dick's Grays realising its potential for the first time.
East Thurrock go from strength to strength and Grays put on their best display of the season while Thurrock tough it out but go down to a single goal at Bishops Stortford.
Secretary Neil Speight led the way with a dazzling display with the shovel that illustrated how passionately the staff feel about the club.
Every single player turned up for training on the snow covered pitch last night as the team are determined to continue their fine run that saw them end November with a 100% record.
After an impressive performance against Lewes, Greg Lincoln will want to continue to carve out a similar performance against high-flying Stortford. The Rocks keep on rolling. Only three points off the top, Covo will want to get that top place by the end of the month.
Aveley were set to play high-flying Lowestoft tonight (Monday) but the Mill Field pitch is frozen. Both Grays and East Thurrock are set for away matches tomorrow night. We will let you know as soon as possible.
A 55th minute strike from Wealdstone midfielder Kieran Forbes was the difference between the two sides as Aveley boss Carl Griffiths fell to his first defeat as Millermen boss.
IT has been a great month for East Thurrock United and their boss John Coventry. They went through November winning every single game, placing them second in the league and with every opportunity of pushing on through christmas.
Twenty seven games in twenty seven days for the five teams in the borough. Everything to play for: Will the Rocks continue their fine run of form; will Thurrock and Aveley keep climbing out of the relegaiton zone while Grays face eight games in that period which may well define their season.
The weather has wiped out the two games involving teams from the borough. Indeed even Thurrock schools cross-country championships at Blackshots scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled.
Thurrock Primary School's District Football Team claimed their first piece of silverware of the season when they won the Essex round of the FA's National 7-a-side championship.
Maldon felt a sense of injustice, which was compounded on 78 minutes when the best move of the game saw Ruel lay a defence-splitting path into the path of the overlapping Joe Keith whose pin-point cross was headed home from close range by Newby.
Thurrock grabbed a vital three points in an impressive display and victory against fellow strugglers Lewes. The game started briskly as an early free kick for Lewes after foul on Lewis Ide but the kick was driven harmlessly wide. Rob Swaine looked bright up front but it was Lewes enjoying the majority of possession although most of the early exhanges were marked by mistimed passes and challenges.
