The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Saturday 25th October – Thurrock 1 – 1 Bognor Regis Town

League, 3pm

Thurrock	Teams	Bognor
1	Goals	1
7	Shots on	5
5	Shots off	7
2	Offside	7
19	Fouls Against	19
3	Yellow	2
0	Red	0
5	Corners	5
196	Att
	Star Man	Tardif

Thurrock and Bognor played out a dull draw at Ship Lane in a game where both sides will rue missing late chances.

During the early stages Thurrock struggled to cope with Bognor’s quick passing game but defended well ensuring the only chances were long range efforts as both Jordan Hughes and Kane Wills shot wide.

In the 36th minute, mark Wright floated a free kick towards Rob Swaine in the penalty area and when Sam Pearce’s arms brought him down, the referee waved play on.

Four minutes later, the visitors took the lead as Wills cross from inside right was headed home by Tom Clarke.

On the brink of half time, Danny Harts cross from the right was headed clear by Duncan Jupp only as far as Thurrock captain Lee Flynn. Flynn unleashed a stunning 30 yard volley onto the cross bar and in to equalise for the Fleet.

The second half started much the same as the first but it was Thurrock this time who had the long range efforts with Mark Wright firing straight at Chris Tardif in the Rocks’ goal.

On 67 minutes, Bognor substitute Matt Hartmann’s shot from 20 yards bobbled in front of the crouched Joe Woolley who still managed to tip the ball over the bar.

With 8 minutes left Clarke’s cross was stabbed wide of an empty net at the back post by Stefan Gasie. Woolley’s resulting goal kick released Thurrock substitute Che Stadhart who shot straight at Tardif whilst one on one.

Leon McKenzie had two chances in stoppage time to win it for the home side but both efforts were saved once more by Tardif.

Thurrock: Woolley, Clark, Wright, Swaine, Paine, Flynn, Hart, Hughes, Bryant (59, Stadhart), McKenzie, Orilonishe (59, Letchmere) Subs not used: Zulmatashvili, Anderson, Taylor

Bognor: Tardif, Hinshelwood (46, Hartmann), Wills, Pearce, Jupp, McDonald, Clarke (83, Castles), Smith, Hughes (66, Savage), Gaisie, Pettefer Subs not used: Whisken, Funnell

The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Tuesday 21st October – Braintree 1 – 2 Thurrock

League, 7:45pm

Braintree	Teams	Thurrock
1	Goals	2
4	Shots on	3
3	Shots off	3
8	Offside	3
19	Fouls Against	23
3	Yellow	5
0	Red	0
6	Corners	4
tbc	Att
	Star Man	McKenzie

Thurrock gained an important three points with a hard fought victory at Essex rivals Braintree Town.

Early on it looked like Thurrock might be in trouble as Braintree pressed and the home side had a goal disallowed in the 8th minute after an offside decision went in Thurrock’s favour. The home side continued to dominate and only a fantastic save by debutant keeper Joe Woolley denied Braintree.

Thurrock did start to come into the game and another debutant Danny Hart, on loan from Barnet, hit the side netting after an excellent build up. However, Braintree continued to push and Woolley once again saved Thurrock after Braintree had been two on one with Matt Paine.

The home side took the lead after 32 minutes with Moran heading into the goal after Woolley had misjudged a free kick. This only spurred Thurrock into action and Leon McKenzie thundered home a close range header three minutes later to bring the scores level. The Fleet then started to dominate and Rob Swaine’s volley went just wide after an excellent Mark Wright delivery. Minutes later Kenny Clarke had the ball in the net but the goal was chalked off after a foul by Swaine.

The second half started well for the visitors with McKenzie adding a second goal after a great flick from David Bryant. McKenzie used fantastic strength to see off the defender and powered a shot home from 15 yards. The lead was nearly doubled on the hour when unselfish play by Bryant left McKenzie with the goal gaping but he sliced his hat-trick chance wide.

Braintree were still in the game though and should have equalised on 68 minutes but sent a header wide. After 72 minutes Bryant went clear but was stopped by a magnificent challenge as he was just about to pull the trigger. The home side dominated the last 15 minutes but had two goals chalked off, one for offside and one for a foul on Woolley and contrived to miss a sitter with less than 2 minutes on the clock.

Thurrock held on a for a deserved win with Leon McKenzie edging the man of the match award from the outstanding Matt Paine.

*Report written by thurrockboy – thank you

The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Saturday 18th October – Thurrock 1 – 2 Maidenhead United

League, 3:00pm

Thurrock	Teams	Maidenhead
1	Goals	2
6	Shots on	5
4	Shots off	5
4	Offside	5
21	Fouls Against	19
1	Yellow	2
0	Red	0
8	Corners	6
tbc	Att
	Star Man	Gore

Maidenhead kept themselves in the Play Off places in this Blue Square encounter at Ship Lane.

The visitors could have taken the lead in the 6th minute when Rob Swaine slipped allowing Lee Newman space but the front man scuffed his shot wide.

The match burst into life in the 21st minute as the Magpies took the lead. Tyron Smith’s free kick hit the wall and bobbled into the path of Boby Behzadi who shot into the bottom corner of the net.

60 seconds later and Thurrock were level as Swaine’s header beat ex-Fleet goalkeeper Shane Gore after great work from Sam Lechmere on the right flank.

The home side could have taken the lead in the 31st minute after David Bryant latched onto Fola Orilonishe’s magnificent through ball but his shot was palmed wide by Gore.

The same pair almost linked up again in the 54th minute but Bryant could not connect to Orilonishe’s deep cross, before Richard Pacquette forced David Blackmore into an outstanding pinpoint save down the other end.

In the 73rd minute Kenny Clark’s superb ball released Bryant who cut in from the right and dragged his shot straight at Gore. United counter attacked and Thurrock were left frustrated at the missed chances as Newman slotted through the legs of Blackmore to put the away side in front.

Substitute Leon McKenzie caused problems for the Maidenhead defence but he nor Thurrock could create the chance to level, with Jon Docker coming closest in stoppage time with a long range effort which was once again saved by Gore.

Thurrock: Blackmore, Clark (78, Hughes), Wright, Swaine, Paine, Lettejallow, Lechmere (90, McLeish), Docker, Bryant, Stadhart (61, McKenzie), Orilonishe Subs not used: Hussein, Flynn

Maidenhead: Gore, Smith, Fyfield, Behzadi (71, Surey), Sterling, Nisbet, Smith, Nichols, Pacquette, Newman (78, Hinds), Bernard (61, Tyriaki) Subs not used: Clarke, Carter