The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Tuesday 29th July – Tilbury 3 – 1 Thurrock

Friendly, 7:45pm

Tilbury	Teams	Thurrock
3	Goals	1
4	Shots on	5
7	Shots off	11
2	Offside	2
13	Fouls Against	17
0	Yellow	1 (Swaine)
0	Red	0
4	Corners	11
tbc	Att	n/a
n/a	Star Man	n/a

Tilbury inflicted a rare defeat over Thurrock at Chadfields on Tuesday night thanks to a inspiring display by Jason Fontaine, and some poor defending by the away side.

Thurrock left the blocks all guns blazing, and when Greg Lincoln’s clever shimmy created space on the right, his pin-point cross was headed home by Phil Anderson after just 74 seconds.

The start may have worried the Dockers’ faithful as a potential repeat of last season’s 1-5 pre-season defeat crossed minds but just ninety seconds later Anton Stevenson got in behind Phil Anderson and Matt Paine and his chipped shot lobbed Andrew Young from 18 yards.

In the 54th minute, the home side took the lead when Paine gave the ball away, Fontaine’s cross from the left found Clinton Hodge who once again beat Paine and tucked his shot in at the near post.

Just as Tilbury had done earlier in the game, it looked like Thurrock may grab an equaliser within two minutes as Rob Swaine’s long ball found Che Stadhart who turned his marker but shot wide of the far post.

Fontaine was causing the Fleet full backs Kenny Clark and Anderson problems all night whilst switching from left to right and minutes later almost set up Hodge for a second but his right wing cross was narrowly missed by the midfielder whose spectacular scissor kick could not quite connect with the ball.

However, in the 64th minute Tilbury killed the game off when Erkan Yusef was given the benefit of the doubt by the referee after the linesman had raised and lowered his flag for offside. Yusef’s deep cross was met by man of the match Fontaine who bundled home from five yards.

The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Saturday 26th July – Thurrock 0 – 3 West Ham XI

Friendly, 3pm

Thurrock	Teams	West Ham
0	Goals	3
4	Shots on	8
7	Shots off	5
4	Offside	2
11	Fouls Against	10
0	Yellow	0
0	Red	0
4	Corners	1
tbc	Att	n/a
n/a	Star Man	n/a

A West Ham XI including England International Matt Upson and Under 19 Freddie Sears ran out 3-0 winners at Ship Lane.

The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute after Kenny Clark gave away a clumsy penalty. Zavon Hines picked himself up to score from the spot and send Andy Young the wrong way.

A man of the match performance from Rob Swaine ensured that the Hammers were unable to cause the home defence any further problems in the first half.

However, when Swaine was replaced at half time, West Ham took advantage with two goals in the opening ten minutes of the second half.

Firstly in the 51st minute, Sears beat the offside trap after good work from Josh Payne before rounding Young and tapping into an empty net.

Then four minutes later, Jack Jeffrey’s goalbound header was cleared by substitute Chris Wilde, but his clearence ricochet off of Young’s back and into his own net.

The Official site of Thurrock Football Club

Tuesday 22nd July – Concord Rangers 1 – 3 Thurrock

Friendly, 7:45pm

Concord	Teams	Thurrock
1	Goals	3
3	Shots on	8
3	Shots off	5
4	Offside	3
10	Fouls Against	17
0	Yellow	1 (Masade)
0	Red	0
2	Corners	10
tbc	Att	n/a
n/a	Star Man	n/a

Thurrock ran out 3-1 winners against Concord Rangers on a warm evening where the score line could have been much more favorable for the visitors.

Thurrock took the lead in the 20th minute as Rob Swaine’s superb pass found Phil Anderson on the left who squared to Che Stadhart who tapped in from close range.

Two minutes later and the lead was doubled. Michael Spencer’s corner was dropped by the Concord goalkeeper and Sherman Stanley bundled the ball over the line.

In the 40th minute, Stadhart raced onto Craig Hughes’ through ball, and the experienced front man looked to have notched his second of the game but was denied as Thurrock legend Gary Howard cleared off the line.

Four minutes into the second half and the impressive strike partnership of Stadhart and Stanley linked up again. Stadhart turned provider to Stanley whose deflected effort beat the ‘keeper from close range only to be ruled out by a dubious offside flag.

In the 56th minute, the hosts had something to cheer about as Lee Smith managed to get in behind Phil Anderson and smash the ball home from 18 yards.

Alex Read and Kenny Clark were both gifted one on one chances but neither could convert. However, on 78 minutes Michael Lodge beat the offside trap to restore Thurrock’s two goal lead.

Two minutes later and Thurrock were awarded a penalty as Spencer was fouled. Greg Lincoln, usually so composed from the spot, proceeded in smashing his effort high and wide.

Lincoln continued to threaten with some outstanding passing and could have notched up an assist to wipe out the penalty miss but firstly Matt Paine hit the bar, and minutes later Read’s header was ruled out for offside.