Just Plain Good!
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photo's copyright of Thurrock FC
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Salisbury City |
0 |
- |
4 |
Thurrock |
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FA
Trophy |
Akurang 41 |
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Kandol 42 |
|
Hodges 72 |
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Lee 86 |
Match photo's
Thurrock dominated their Ryman League opponents in the FA Trophy to earn their
eleventh consecutive cup tie victory. Salisbury came out of the blocks very
physically trying to put Thurrock off of their game. It was very reminiscent of
the Wealdstone trophy game from last season. However, Thurrock were not going to
let the same thing happen as they kept their composure to ensure that their
extra class won the day. The first half hour saw numerous heavy challenges with
Cliff Akurang and Steve Heffer singled out in particular. Salisbury huffed and
puffed but were unable to string passes together and Jimmy McFarlane along with
Richard Goddard were dealing comfortably with the long balls. Salisbury’s energy
seemed to go after half an hour and Thurrock took full advantage. Lee Hodges had
a free kick which went just over the bar, and Akurang’s trickery and cross
forced Sawyer to take an awkward cross low down. The goal looked like it was
coming, and come it did with five minutes of the half left. Hodges put in a
dangerous cross which Akurang headed past Sawyer. Akurang took a heavy challenge
for his troubles but came back on to set up a goal thirty seconds after the
restart. Goddard’s long free kick was controlled by Akurang, who flicked the
ball over the defender’s head, lobbed it to Kandol who dispatched his header for
2-0.
Thurrock came out for the
second half knowing that the hard work was done. Akurang nearly scored a minute
into the half when he was one on one with Sawyer, only to see his shot well
saved. Kandol should have scored five minutes later when Akurang’s through ball
found him but he shot at Sawyer who came out quickly. Salisbury’s desire ran out
on 68 minutes when Wayne Turk was sent off for a second bookable offence. Five
minutes later Hodges, who had been on the end of some very physical tackling,
scored the third. He turned the defender inside and out before shooting into the
top corner from 15 yards. The defender was still untying his legs when Salisbury
kicked off! A Dave Collis corner was met by McFarlane with a great header but it
was cleared off the line before substitute Kris Lee scored the fourth after
Simon Martin’s initial shot was saved. There was still time for McFarlane to hit
the bar late on as Thurrock continued to dominate.
Man of the Match: Ryan Kirby
Thurrock: McMahon, Collis, Goodfellow,
McFarlane©, Goddard, Hodges (Lawrence 78), Kirby, Heffer, Buffong, Akurang (Lee
74), Kandol (Martin 82)
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