GRAYS LEFT SMARTIN BY MARTIN

Thurrock were unlucky not to get away from the rec with 3 points in the Bank Holiday fixture. Thurrock didn’t play their best football but were still comfortably the better side, with Grays only having one worthy shot on target.

            The first half was very scrappy with neither side bossing the game but with Thurrock having the better chances. The first chance of the game did, however, go to Grays on the half hour. An Eastwood free kick hit the post with Goths beaten. This only sparked Thurrock into action. A backpass to Capleton got trapped under his feet. He stumbled as Simon Martin advanced and ended up and handballed. The referee gave an indirect free kick about 8 yards from goal and failed to even book Capleton when a red card should have been given as it was a blatant professional foul denying Martin a certain goal. The free kick was struck well by Collis and a Thurrock leg diverted it wide of the goal. After 40 minutes a lay off by TK fell at Martin’s feet and he shot straight at Capleton from 20 yards. Thurrock then lost John Purdie to a twisted knee which puts him out of Thursday’s game against Cheshunt. He was replaced by Paul Linger with Steve Heffer moving into defence again. The half’s best chance fell to Martin in injury time. He turned two players in the box and his low shot was tipped wide by Capleton.

            Thurrock started the second half brightly with Cliffy unlucky not to score 45 seconds into the half. Ten minutes into the half Thurrock were awarded a free kick after Youds had stopped TK jumping for the umpteenth time. Linger took the free kick quickly but it went well wide. After 65 minutes a through ball sent TK clear, however it was a little bit too far ahead of him and he could only flick the ball straight at Capleton.

            With 20 minutes left Grays took the lead through a penalty. Cliff Akurang was adjudged to have stopped Youds from jumping right in the corner of the penalty area. Eastwood sent Goths the wrong way to give Grays the lead. Thurrock livened up after this and equalised four minutes later. Grays didn’t clear a free kick effectively and the ball was played back into the box. Terry Bowes flicked the ball over the defender’s head and volleyed towards goal. Capleton did well to save but there were four Thurrock players lining up to put the ball into the empty net with Grays defenders ball watching. Colin McBride then took off the excellent Bowes who looked absolutely shattered after his tireless running and replaced him with Lee Allen. Allen got straight into the action running at defenders. With a minute to go Cliff Akurang went clear. He was at a tight angle and unselfishly laid the ball back to TK. Unfortunately the ball went behind him and the ball was cleared for a corner. A minute later a great flick by TK sent Martin clear. He shot straight at Capleton although he never looked like scoring.

            A good point for Thurrock although they will be disappointed to not have taken all three from their local rivals.

Man of the Match: Terry Bowes

Thurrock: Gothard, Collis, Broom, Purdie (Linger 43), Davidson, Bowes (Allen 82), Heffer, Howard, Akurang, Martin, Kandol