Thurrock demonstrated how easy it would be to get behind the Dunstable back line as early as the 6^th minute when Akurang was sent through only to see his half-volley well saved. This was to become a regular sight and on 14 minutes Plummer was sent through by Akurang only to shoot at the keeper with TK calling for the ball square of him. Dunstable’s one big opportunity came in the 24^th minute when Gothard made an excellent, one handed save when a Dunstable player was able to get a free header 12 yards from goal.

            Thurrock should have had a penalty just after that when Plummer went through only to be clattered from behind, the referee decided not to give it, in the first of many decisions that had the crowd scratching their heads. Thurrock, however, were not to be denied and took the lead a minute later when quick thinking from TK gave Lee Hodges the chance to shoot from 22 yards. The keeper was given no chance as Hodges drilled low and hard into the far corner. A minute later Hodges had the chance to double the lead from the penalty spot after Plummer was fouled yet again. Unfortunately, the penalty was not struck well enough and was at a comfortable height to be pushed away by the Dunstable keeper. On 40 minutes Cliff Akurang turned a defender only to shoot over the bar after doing the difficult bit. Thurrock were rampant and pushing hard to kill the game off before half time. The second goal came a few minutes before half time. Hodges got the ball on the right wing, beat two defenders and shot from the corner of the box. The keeper did well to push the ball out and with all the confusion in the box Akurang slotted home for 2-0. Thurrock looked to have the game wrapped up but Akurang made a clumsy challenge in the box and another penalty was awarded. Dunstable captain Carney sent Gothard the wrong way to give Dunstable hope in the second half.

            Thurrock were quick out the blocks in the second half with TK missing two good chances early on. He was to make amends in the 53^rd minute. He was fouled in the box and picked up the ball with all the conviction of a great centre forward and chipped a cheeky penalty into the centre of the goal. Thurrock were dominant and unlucky not to stretch the lead further when Akurang shot wide with half an hour to go. The game was wrapped up in the 67^th minute when Collis’ free kick was headed home by captain McFarlane at the far post. A fifth followed shortly after when another penalty was given after a Dunstable defender punched the ball off of TK’s head. The ref amazingly only gave him a yellow card and Akurang slotted home from twelve yards. The rest of the match was a procession, with Kris Lee unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after a header was cleared off the line and a shot was well saved.

            Thurrock stepped up to receive their second trophy in six months after an excellent attacking display with great contributions all round.

 Man of the Match: Tresor Kandol

 Thurrock: Gothard. Collis, Davidson, McFarlane ©, Purdie, Hodges (Lawrence 66), Plummer (Lee 66), Heffer, Kirby, Akurang, Kandol (Goddard 75)