Club accountant Tony Packer announced on the club's website that the unpaid tax bill of £67,000.27p was paid yesterday. He said: "This was the full and final settlement of all outstanding issues left with GAFC 1982 Ltd.
West Ham travelled up the A12 to Colchester for their final league cup fixture before the competition reverts back into knockout stages, knowing that a good win should be sufficient to take them through.
Back in July, the club were given 98 days to pay an outstanding tax bill. If Grays fail to pay the sum, they could be wound up and its affairs handed to receivers.
There was a low key start to the match, played out in a consistent drizzle, but Rocks created the first chance out of virtually nothing on four minutes when Kye Ruel burst through, only to flattened en-route to goal by Gbenga Sonuga who was booked for his foul. Pedants might argue he should have seen red but, on balance, Mr Pickford appeared to have got it right.
Aveley remained mired in the relegation zone after slumping to another defeat at home against mid-table Cray Wanderers. Cray went 2-0 up by half time and even had a man sent off but Aveley simply couldn't come up with any answers as too many of their moves were easily broken up or ended with unforced errors.
So early in the season but this match is the classic six-pointer, Thurrock still yet to win a league game this season and Dorchester one place below and in the relegation zone but on the same points as The Fleet, a vital game for both sides to gain valuable points.
The game was played at a frenetic pace from the off with Thurrock in the ascendancy, but despite all the efforts it was the visitors that took the lead with virtually their first venture into the Thurrock half.
Thurrock grind out another draw in a tough relegation battle. Aveley slump to another defeat while Tilbury and East Thurrock both crash out of the FA Trophy.
Huge game for Thurrock as they play fellow strugglers Dorchester whilst Aveley need to build on last weeks win against Croydon. East Thurrock and Tilbury are in the FA Trophy while Grays have a weekend off.
Next up was Chafford-based Rob Russell who moved up one place with a consistent run 23 minutes 30 seconds. On the final lap Roy Aspinall held on to 17th spot with a typical gutsy 23 minutes 47 seconds.
West Ham Ladies must feel robbed of a well deserved win, a game that was dominated by a "prima donna" of a referee call Mr David Thomas, with his exaggerated gesturing and poor timekeeping (arriving late for the game) and then somehow ruined a game by playing seven minutes of added time in which he awarded a controversial penalty and sent off the West Ham goalkeeper allowing Charlton to equalise.
