SAINTS SLAIN BY FLEET

            Fleet were lucky to escape with the points and third place in the league after another battle with St. Albans.

            On a terrible pitch Saints persisted with the passing game that they played at the Hotel and carried it off with great aplomb winning a succession of corners but being unable to convert their pressure into goals. That nearly changed in the 14^th minute. A cross was launched into the box and headed towards goal but Paul Gothard stretched out a hand to tip the ball onto the bar and over only for the ref to give a goal kick. Saints continued to press but the next chance fell to Thurrock. A quick free kick was played into the box and was well taken down by Martin but his early shot was straight at Clark in the Saints goal. St Albans nearly took the lead a minute later, a shot was fired in low and hard but Goths was quick down to tip round the post in one of his finest saves of the season. The rest of the half closed out quietly with the only moment of significance being the substitution of the ill Terry Bowes to be replaced by Lee Allen.

            The second half went the way of the first to start with. Most of the game was played in the Thurrock half with John Purdie and Craig Davidson performing exceptionally. Once De Souza was brought on for Saints Davidson had a difficult task as the leggy winger ran at him but Davidson was dependable as ever.

            The game changed in the 72^nd minute with one moment of brilliance from the strangely quiet Tresor Kandol. Receiving the ball on the corner of the penalty area he turned inside a defender and blasted into the top corner. The travelling fans were ecstatic as TK held his arms aloft. Two minutes later Davidson excelled himself with a great block of a shot that would have had Goths in all sorts of trouble.

            With just over ten minutes to go Kris Lee replaced Martin and nearly scored immediately. Fleet broke and Akurang’s cross just evaded the outstretched legs of Lee. Lee Allen controlled the ball at the far post, turned inside the defender shot but the keeper turned the ball wide for a corner. Fleet were beginning to be dangerous on the break using all the pace of the forward players. Kris Lee’s shot was nearly fumbled over the line by Clark.

In injury time the victory was assured. Great running from Akurang took the ball into the corner and he challenged the Saints defenders to tackle him. Tackle him they could not, foul him they did. Collis delivered a wonderful free kick and TK leapt far above everyone else and bulleted a header past Clark.

            The best news was still to come as Hendon and Hornchurch had both lost leaving Thurrock in third place only behind runaway winners Canvey and the impressive Sutton.

Man of the match: Lee Allen

Thurrock: Gothard, Collis, Davidson, McFarlane, Purdie, Bowes (Allen 84), Linger, Heffer, Akurang, Martin (Lee 78), Kandol (Lawrence 90)