The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Saturday 19th July – East Thurrock 2 – 1 Thurrock

Friendly, 3pm

Rocks	Teams	Fleet
2	Goals	1
5	Shots on	7
4	Shots off	2
8	Offside	4
12	Fouls Against	17
0	Yellow	0
0	Red	0
5	Corners	7
tbc	Att	n/a
n/a	Star Man	n/a

East Thurrock United’s young side ran out 2-1 winners over Thurrocks trialists, thanks to an own goal by David Pugh, and a goal by Danny Mould.

The visitors dominated the early possession and could have taken the lead within 20 seconds as Miles Spencer broke down the left, Che Stadhart cut his cross back but Chris Taylor couldn’t connect within 6 yards and the ball was cleared to safety.

Spencer again threatened down the left wing and on 11 minutes, his cross was headed wide by Chris Wilde.

Despite being a centre back, Wilde continued to be the main aerial threat to the Rocks and in the 14th minute was unlucky not to break the deadlock as his header was cleared off the line.

Against the run of play, it was the hosts that took the lead when Danny Mould’s 20 yard shot was diverted into the goal by Thurrock’s David Pugh.

Thurrock bounced back and were unlucky not to equalise as Michael Lodge’s mazy 60 yard run looked to be rewarded with a goal but his shot rebounded off the inside of the post and into the hands of the East Thurrock ‘keeper.

On 39 mins, Lodge was handed an opportunity to equalise after he was fouled in the box by Bradley Stevens. Lodge stepped up to take the spot kick, but he fired straight at the ‘keeper for an easy save.

Five minutes into the second half and the home side doubled their lead as Danny Mould’s effort beat Nej Husein at the near post.

Thurrock’s Nicky Green impressed throughout and when he was fouled on 60 mins in the box by Mould, he stepped up to score.

Green had a chance to equalise on 69 when his half volley sizzled narrowly wide. Then with the clock running down, Stadhart had an effort cleared off the line as the Rocks held on for victory.

Despite defeat, Hakan Hayrettin would be pleased with the effort and performance of a number of trialists, who may get a second chance to impress against Concorde Rangers (away) on Tuesday.

The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Wednesday 16th July – Thurrock 2 – 0 Dagenham & Redbridge

Friendly, 7:45pm

Thurrock	Teams	Dagenham
2	Goals	0
5	Shots on	5
8	Shots off	6
1	Offside	2
15	Fouls Against	12
0	Yellow	0
0	Red	0
3	Corners	8
183	Att	n/a
Lincoln	Star Man	n/a

Thurrock’s second pre-season friendly against Football League opposition could not have been more of a contrast as the Fleet totally dominated the game, running out 2-0 winners against neighbors Dagenham & Redbridge.

As early as the 4th minute, man of the match Greg Lincoln floated in a corner only to see Fola Orilonishe’s powerful header wide.

On 11 minutes, the impressive Alex Read cut in from the right but his shot was blocked by Martin Patterson. Moments later, Read rounded Dave Hogan in the Daggers goal, but he couldn’t get control and the ball ran out to safety.

In the 20th minute, Read was again central to the danger, doing well to win a corner. This time Lincoln’s set piece was headed in by Phil Anderson to give Thurrock the lead.

Six minutes later, Glen Southam set up Ben Strevens who looked certain to equalise only for a fine save from Shane Herbert to deny the visitors.

On 35 minutes, Thurrock extended their lead. Lincoln’s superb through ball opened up the Dagenham defence, and Orilonishe’s pace set him free and the winger coolly slotting home.

In the second half, Read had a chance to extend the lead but his shot was easily handled by Hogan.

Rob Swaine, who had also had an outstanding game, was replaced on 60 minutes after his pre-season fitness began to take it’s toll but this did not effect the home defence as trialist Chris Wilde stepped in to keep the Daggers strike force at bay.

Dagenham had a chance to grab a goal late on as Jacob Erksine took advantage of Matt Paine’s slip, but substitute keeper Andy Young’s great double save firstly from Erksine, and then again from Strevens ensured the Fleet kept a clean sheet in this impressive victory.

Thurrock: Herbert (45, Young), Clark, Anderson (55, Flynn), Swaine (60, Wilde), Paine (71, Spencer), Orilonishe,  Masade, Lettejallow, Lincoln, Hughes (84, Lodge), Read (66, Taylor)

Dagenham: Hogan, Boardman, Patterson, Southam, Nurse, Strevens, Tejansie, Vernazza, Graham, Erksine, Alaige (Subs: Thomas, Rochester, Dean, Johnson, Coyn)

The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Saturday 12th July – Thurrock 0 – 4 Southend

Friendly, 3pm

Thurrock	Teams	Southend
0	Goals	4
1	Shots on	10
2	Shots off	5
1	Offside	2
9	Fouls Against	8
0	Yellow	0
0	Red	0
6	Corners	4
230	Att	n/a
n/a	Star Man	Sankofa

League One Southend United offered Thurrock a footballing lesson as their possession play ensured they left Ship Lane as victors in a 4-0 win.

Thurrock  held their own for 15 minutes against a side three leagues above them until Franck Moussa’s 25 yard shot deflected over Shane Herbert in the Fleet goal to break the deadlock..

On 23 minutes, Southend doubled their lead. Damian Scannell’s left wing cross was headed clear by Rob Swaine, only as far as Nicky Bailey.  Bailey played the ball through to Lee Barnard who beat Herbert at the near post.

Four minutes before half time, Moussa grabbed his second of the game, tapping home from close range after Herbert had done well to keep out Barnard’s effort.

Whilst the visitors were unchanged at half time, Thurrock emerged with 10 changes. Ten minutes into the second half, just as the home side seemed to settle down, Southend captain Adam Barrett looked to have been fouled on the edge of the box, but the ref allowed the advantage which was just as well as Stuart O’Keefe curled a right footed shot onto the under side of the bar and in in what was the goal of the game.

Southend continued to push forward and could have had a fifth as Charles Ademeno’s clever chip flicked the ball over Thurrock’s ‘keeper Matt Reed but his goal-bound header was cleared off the line by Phil Anderson.

Thurrock: Herbert, Clark, Flynn, Swaine, Paine, Orilonishe,  Masade, Lettejallow, Lincoln, Hughes, Stadhart

Southend: Mildenhall, Forshaw, Sankofa, Barrett, Scannell, Bailey, Moussa, O’Keefe, Walker, Barnard