Dorchester won a free kick twenty five yards from goal on the half hour and Ugarter’s shot was well tipped over by Gothard. Dorchester were unlucky not to take the lead a minute later when a near post header clattered the bar from a well delivered corner. With five minutes to go before half time Thurrock missed a glaring chance. TK went clear after a mix up in the defence and shot wide with just Bradshaw to beat. He was then unlucky with two chances that went just wide after precision crosses from Dave Collis. Thurrock must have been disappointed to go in at half time on even terms.

The second half went the way of the first with Thurrock having all of the possession. Jimmy McFarlane’s header was cleared off of the line after he rose well above everybody in the box. Collis, Akurang and Kirby all tested Bradshaw from long range and Hodges, who was coming more and more in the game, hit the bar with a wonderful drive. Ugarter was also unlucky again when his 20 yarder went just over.

 Thurrock finally took their deserved lead after 63 minutes. Collis’ undefendable free kick rattled around the box and Martin prodded home at the second time of asking. A second looked like it would be quick to come, and Hodges was unlucky when Bradshaw saved well from his 20 yard effort. Colin McBride made a couple of clever changes with ten minutes to go, bringing on Martyn Lawrence and Kris Lee for the tiring Hodges and Martin. Thurrock, however, were lucky when John Purdie stretched to get the smallest of flicks over two onrushing Dorchester forwards looking to head in. That was the nearest Dorchester came in the second half because they had played long balls into the box that were easily gobbled up by the excellent Heffer, Kirby, McFarlane and Purdie.

The last ten minutes saw Kandol put on a virtuoso performance, starting with a thirty yard chase back to take the ball of off a Dorchester midfielder and send Kris Lee away. Lee was unlucky to see his shot blocked for a corner. A minute later, Kandol looked composed on the ball as he laid it off to Akurang in his own half, Akurang’s pace took him into the box and his bending shot went just wide. With two minutes to go Kandol once again received the ball on the halfway line. He beat one defender and was brought down as he sent Akurang through again. The referee played an excellent advantage and Akurang’s shot was well saved. TK rounded off his ten minutes of brilliance with a near post header past Bradshaw from a Collis dead ball.

          Another three points well earned away from home and the players will be hoping to make it four out of four at Sutton on Saturday.

 Man of the match: Tresor Kandol

 Thurrock: Gothard, Collis, Goodfellow, McFarlane©, Purdie, Hodges (Lawrence 78), Heffer, Kirby, Akurang (Plummer 90), Martin (Lee 78), Kandol.