GOTHARD SAVE SAVES THURROCK

              A below average performance saw Thurrock lucky to escape with a point against a hard working Bishop’s Stortford side. The games’ opening was very scrappy with Thurrock twice caught offside as neither team could gain control of the ball. After seven minutes a header behind from Jimmy McFarlane resulted in a Stortford corner, which was well delivered by Glen Southam and headed goal wards only to be cleared off the line and over the bar by Cliff Akurang defending. Southam swung over the next corner and Aaron Barnett missed a chance he should have scored from close range.

Thurrock’s first real chance resulted in them opening the scoring. A good cross from Dave Collis was sent in towards the penalty spot where McFarlane made it difficult for the defender who only managed to flick it on to Paul Linger who scored at the far post for his 13^th goal of the season.

The remainder of the half was a fairly dull affair with Tresor Kandol having two half chances and Linger having a shot blocked while Stortford continued to put pressure on the Thurrock defence through a number of crosses which were well defended.

Stortford started the second half brightly, winning a free kick in the first minute after a foul by Collis, Southam’s crossing was excellent once again and Richard Howell missed a decent chance at the far post. A minute later Barnett had another chance to score for Stortford but missed woefully from 8 yards out. After this the second half went much the way of the first half with many misplaced passes leading to neither team taking control of the game.

Stortford deservedly equalised with 15 minutes to go after a terrible pass by Kandol allowed Stortford to steal the ball on the right wing, the ball was crossed to the far post where Paul Kyriacou’s shot was splendidly saved by Gothard only to fall to James Bunn who scored from six yards out.

Kandol found himself being substituted two minutes later and replaced by Lee Allen as Thurrock tried to change things around. It nearly worked. Cliff Akurang, playing up front after the substitution, chased a long ball and flicked over Desborough in the Stortford goal only for the ball to land agonizingly just wide of the post. With five minutes to go a poor punch from Desborough fell to Lee Allen 15 yards from goal but his shot went two yards wide.

In the last five minutes Stortford pushed really hard for the three points, John Purdie was booked for a foul 25 yards from goal, Southam putting the free kick over the bar. As the game entered injury time Stortford earned a corner kick, which was well delivered, again by Southam, a header was won 10 yards from goal and only a magnificent save by Gothard stopped Stortford taking the three points.

            Thurrock battled hard today and hopefully will be able to pick up three points on Tuesday against a Hayes side seen only a week ago. 

Thurrock: Gothard, Purdie, Davidson, Collis, McFarlane, Martin, Linger, Heffer, Bowes, Kandol (Allen 77), Akurang