The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Saturday 6th September – Hayes & Yeading 2 – 1 Thurrock

League, 3pm

H&Y	Teams	Thurrock
2	Goals	1
7	Shots on	5
7	Shots off	6
3	Offside	4
21	Fouls Against	11
3	Yellow	4
0	Red	1
6	Corners	3
tbc	Att	n/a
Mulley	Star Man	n/a

Hayes and Yeading came out tops in this game of two halves as they inflicted Thurrock’s seventh defeat out of eight games.

The first half was almost entirely dominated by the home side and it was no surprise, given both sides recent form, that is was they who created the first chance of the game after just 8 minutes as Steven Gregory’s long range effort deflected wide for a corner.

Moments later Ram Marwa’s accidental back-heal found the path of Josh Scott but his effort curled well wide.

Hayes & Yeading continued to threaten as Scott Fitzgerald forced David Blackmore into his first save since his return on loan from West Ham United.

James Mulley then forced Blackmore into a save from close range before breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute, converting Scott’s low cross from the left wing.

Nine minutes later, Fitzgerald beat the offside trap only to see his shot superbly saved by Blackmore, but almost immediately after clearing the ball, Thurrock lost possession, enabling Fitzgerald to release Gregory who made it two-nil.

On the brink of half time, Gregory’s cross-field pass found the Fleet’s Michael Spencer who released Che Stadhart. As Stadhart took the ball around Aaron Howe in the home goal, Howe fouled Stadhart, and despite arguments that he was the last man the ref produced only a yellow card much to the disgust of Stadhart who talked himself into a caution.

From the resulting free kick, Jon Docker curled his shot over the wall but Howe, who the home side would be delighted to have still on the pitch, was at hand to provide a superb save.

Thurrock opened the second half with the same intentions as those of the home side in the first, with Stadhart and David Bryant linking up well but Bryant’s cross could not find Fola Orilnishe.

In the 53rd minute Docker’s tremendous through ball set Bryant free. The front man rounded the ‘keeper but his shot lacked pace and was easily cleared by Tom Cadmore for a corner.

With the introduction of substitutes Craig Hughes and Aaron McLeish, Thurrock appeared to be more evenly balanced and in the 63rd minute the changes paid off as Stadhart set up McLeish who tapped in on the line.

Hayes & Yeading could have extended their lead after a solo run from Mulley ended with another good save by Blackmore. The rebound fell to Danny Allen-Page who volleyed into the side-netting.

Thurrock continued to push for an equaliser and in the 76th minute good work by McLeish allowed Docker space but his cross was headed wide by Orilonishe.

Two minutes later, Orilonishe almost grabbed the elusive equaliser but his low drive was tipped wide by Howe.

With ten minutes remaining it was United’s turn to round the ‘keeper but Mulley’s shot was cleared off the line by Kenny Clark.

Docker was dismissed for the Fleet in the 87th minute after picking up his second booking of the game, and despite having ten men Thurrock continued to look most likely to score.

With time running out Thurrock threw everything at the game and had a penalty shout turned down at the death as Cadmore was adjudged to handle in a crowded box, and the home side hung on for the three points.

Thurrock: Blackmore, Clark, Flynn, Anderson (84, Araba), Paine, Orilonishe, Spencer (48, Hughes), Docker, Lettejallow (60, McLeish), Stadhart, Bryant Subs not used: Hussein, Gilbert – Booked: Bryant, Stadhart, Docker, Hughes; Sent Off: Docker

Hayes & Yeading: Howe, Allen-Page, Martin, Cadmore, Ruby, Marwa, Mulley, Gregory, Fitzgerald (75, Knight), Hendry (90, James), Scott (82, Palmer) Subs not used: Collins, Preddie –Booked: Martin, Hendry, Howe

The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Tuesday 2nd September – Thurrock 3 – 3 Hampton & Richmond

League, 7:45pm

Thurrock	Teams	Hampton
3	Goals	3
3	Shots on	6
5	Shots off	4
0	Offside	1
16	Fouls Against	8
0	Yellow	2
0	Red	0
2	Corners	9
243	Att	n/a
Stadhart	Star Man	n/a

Hampton came from 3-1 down to deny Thurrock victory in an entertaining game at Ship Lane, which saw the home side grab their first point of the season.

Anyone watching Thurrock this season will continue to wonder how the Fleet have managed just 1 point out of a possible 21, and tonight supporters and players alike will be both frustrated at not notching up their first win of the season.

Thurrock took the lead in the 8th minute as Fola Orilonishe cut in from the right wing and curled a left footed shot into the far corner of the net, via the back of Ryan Lake.

In the 22nd minute, the lead was extended as superb football once again by new boy Jon Docker led to a corner. Docker whipped the ball in, which was headed back across goal by Orilonishe and smashed home by Che Stadhart.

Lawrence Yaku, who punished Thurrock in last season’s 5-0 drubbing, was the main threat for Hampton but despite having three almost one on one opportunities late in the first half, he could only shoot wide.

Hampton grabbed a goal in the 56th minute as John Scarborough headed home. But almost immediately Thurrock extended their lead as David Bryant’s shot deflected into the path of Stadhart who side footed home from 15 yards, much to the dispute of the Hampton players who thought he was offside.

For 65 minutes, it would be difficult to pick out individuals as Thurrock dominated possession with the entire eleven almost faultless. However, when Orlando Jeffrey headed home Yaku’s cross in an almost identical goal to the visitors first, the away side began to mount pressure on Thurrock’s tiring defence.

Firstly Yaku’s cross was almost diverted into his own goal by Rob Swaine, before Yaku found space behind the Fleet defence smashing home on 76 minutes after great football by Barrie Matthews and substitute Stephen Cooke.

With ten minutes remaining, Docker made way for Craig Hughes who had picked up a serious injury in pre-season against Tilbury, and the Fleet crowd were certainly pleased to have him back, applauding both Docker’s performance and Hughes’ return.

With the clock ticking down, Orilonishe’s superb 50 yard run was unrewarded as he shot wide as the game ended with both sides taking a share of the spoils.

It seems that lady luck is not shining on the Fleet at the moment, but with another impressive team performance, it doesn’t look like it will be long before they begin to turn near misses into wins. Next up is Hayes & Yeading away on Saturday 6th September.

Thurrock: Young, Clark, Flynn, Swaine (88, Anderson), Paine, Orilonishe, Spencer, Docker (80, Hughes), Lettejallow, Stadhart (88, McLeish), Bryant Subs not used: Hussein, Araba

Hampton & Richmond: Lovett, Harper, R Lake, Jeffrey, Scarborough (66, Cooke), Wells, S Lake, Fernandes, Hodges, Yaku (88, Wright), Matthews Subs not used: Tyson, Badu, Braithwaite –Booked: Fernandes, Hodges

The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Saturday 30th August – Thurrock 2 – 3 Havant & Waterlooville

League, 3pm

Thurrock	Teams	Havant
2	Goals	3
4	Shots on	6
3	Shots off	3
1	Offside	1
22	Fouls Against	16
2	Yellow	3
1	Red	0
3	Corners	4
261	Att	n/a
n/a	Star Man	Simpemba

Hawks substitute Charlie Henry came off the bench to score a 76th minute winner to leave 10-men Thurrock still without a point after six games.

The visitors took a 13th minute lead after Jamie Collins was fouled by Rob Swaine. Matt Gray stepped up to curl the free kick into the top left hand corner.

Thurrock responded in the 20th minute after a great pass by Michael Spencer was converted by Fola Orilonishe.

Six minutes later and the hosts were in front. As Thurrock counter attacked, goalkeeper Andrew Young’s long throw found David Bryant. Bryant laid the ball back to Jon Docker whose one-two with Lee Flynn released Che Stadhart who slotted home.

The lead was short lived as in the 30th minute,  Craig Watkins capitalised on Flynn’s misheader beating Young from close range.

Up until this point, the entertainment was purely relating to attacking football. However in the 32nd minute, as Flynn floated a free kick into the box, Swaine clashed into Kevin Scriven in what was deemed to be wreckless by Havant players and the referee and Swaine was sent off.

It can be argued that this had an impact on the game as chances were scarce until the 76th minute as Henry picked the ball up centrally, beat two Thurrock players before unleashing a 25 yard thunderbolt into the bottom corner.

Thurrock will be bitterly disappointed with the result today as they were every ounce worth a point, but yet again the visitors leave with all three points. Next up Thurrock face Hampton & Richmond Borough on Tuesday night at Ship Lane.

Thurrock: Young, Clark, Flynn, Swaine, Paine, Orilonishe, Spencer (86, McLeish), Docker, Lettejallow, Stadhart, Bryant Subs not used: Hussein, Araba, Read, Gilbert – Booked: Bryant, Lettejallow; Sent Off: Swaine

Havant & Waterlooville: Scriven, Conroy, Gasson (64, Henry), Collins, Elphick, Simpemba, Gray, Holloway (78, Wilkinson), Nightingale (67, Gargan), Watkins, Poate Subs not used: Slabber, Booth -Booked: Collins, Poate, Wilkinson