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Saturday 23rd August – Thurrock 1 – 2 Welling United

League, 3pm

Thurrock succumbed to their fourth defeat on the trot as Welling left Ship Lane with the spoils to ensure both sides maintain their current form.

The Fleet could have taken an early lead as Fola Orilonishe’s corner was headed towards goal by Rob Swaine but Jamie Turner tipped the ball over the bar.

Moments later, Che Stadhart was at the end of a long ball from Phil Anderson. Stadhart laid the ball square to Hakeem Araba but his shot, which beat Turner, rolled agonisingly wide.

Charlie Sheringham then threatened with a couple of long range efforts, and it was no surprise that he was to break the deadlock as Welling took a 27th minute lead.

A superb defence splitting pass from right back Tony Sinclair found Sonny Cobbs whose pass out left was crossed at the first attempt by Craig Braham-Barrett. Sheringham popped up to tap home from close range.

Thurrock grabbed an equaliser in the 35th minute when Orilonishe’s left wing cross was converted by Ebenezer Masade. Masade was then booked for taking his shirt off during the celebration.

The lead was short lived however as the visitors won a corner less than sixty seconds later. The set piece was cleared by the Fleet defence only as far as Cobbs, who chest the ball down and rifled home from 18 yards.

Welling could have made it three on the brink of half time as firstly Joe Healy’s header was palmed onto the cross bar by Andrew Young and the rebound was headed back against his own bar by Matt Paine before being cleared to safety.

Chances were few and far between in the second half, although substitute Danny Lodge caused panic for the visitors when he broke clear. His shot was saved by Turner in the away goal and Rhys Henry could not convert the rebound.

A much more threatening and encouraging second half for Thurrock, who may feel aggrieved to yet again end the game with defeat.

Thurrock: Young, Clark, Anderson, Paine, Swaine (70, Gilbert), Masade (56, Henry), Orilonishe, Flynn, Lettejallow, Stadhart, Araba (73, Lodge) Subs not used: Hussein, Greene – Booked: Flynn, Masade, Anderson

Welling: Turner, Sinclair, Braham-Barrett, Quinn, McEntegart, Andrews (83, Chappell), Green, Cobbs (56, Blackburn), Healy (60, Pinnock), Sheringham, Martin Subs not used: Andrews, Smith – Booked: McEntegart, Green, Turner