ROOKS STALEMATE
All photo's copyright of Thurrock FC

Thurrock let in another late goal as they squandered the opportunity to go above Lewes at the Dripping Pan. A dull first half hour was only livened up by good interplay between Collis and Hodges which saw the diminutive winger’s shot held well by Bankole in the Lewes goal. The action heated up on the pitch just as the heavens opened. Steve Heffer won the ball and nudged it through to Kandol. Just as TK was running clear the referee pulled the game back because Heffer and Lovett were fighting. Lovett had two footed Heffer after the ball had gone and Heffer retaliated. The referee decided to show both players the yellow card. Lovett, however was not going to let the matter lie and in the 39^th minute made an horrendous two footed lunge over the top on Heffer which gave him a second yellow when he was lucky not to get a straight red. Lewes held on to half time knowing that they would have to battle for a full half with ten men.

The second half was a more exciting affair, even though there were few chances. On the hour TK should have given Thurrock the lead. The ball rattled around in the box and landed at TK’s feet five yards from goal but he put the ball inches wide. Thurrock started to turn the screw and TK was unlucky to see his 20 yarder blocked for a corner on 68 minutes. A minute later Fleet took the lead. A raking long ball came to Buffong who spun and shot into the top corner from 20 yards. A minute later the lead should have been doubled when Hodges’ cross was flicked wide by Simon Martin. Martin was booked two minutes later for a wild tackle. Thurrock seemed to be hanging on despite a succession of corners for Lewes; however a goalmouth scramble from one corner fell at the feet of Newman who dispatched past Billy McMahon.

 Man of the Match: Jimmy McFarlane

 Thurrock: McMahon, Thompson, Collis, McFarlane©, Purdie, Hodges (Lawrence 84), Heffer, Kirby (Buffong 51), D Lee, Kandol, K Lee (Martin 51)