Fleet left Gander Green Lane with three points in a match they should have won far more comfortably. After the shock departure of Paul Gothard earlier in the week, Billy McMahon took over between the sticks for his first game of the season. The first half was a dull affair with the only moments of note being a McFarlane header from a Collis corner which was well saved and a low shot by Watkins brilliantly saved by McMahon’s feet.

Fleet left Gander Green Lane with three points in a match they should have won far more comfortably. After the shock departure of Paul Gothard earlier in the week, Billy McMahon took over between the sticks for his first game of the season. The first half was a dull affair with the only moments of note being a McFarlane header from a Collis corner which was well saved and a low shot by Watkins brilliantly saved by McMahon’s feet.

          The second half was a far livelier affair with Thurrock starting fast. Simon Martin missed a headed chance after Hodges had delivered well and Jimmy McFarlane’s header went just over. Martin was replaced by Kris Lee on the hour and this moment would later win Thurrock the match. Moments after the substitution Akurang beat two players, but screwed wide with his left foot. Sutton went straight up the pitch and scored. Former Hornchurch striker Andrew Martin crossed deep and Watkins headed in off the post. John Purdie was then taken off as he was struggling with an injury and Goddard came on to play at centre half for the first time for Thurrock.

Thurrock levelled after 63 minutes, Akurang charged down an attempted clearance and the ball fell kindly to Hodges, who’s cross found Lee a yard from goal with keeper in no-mans-land. Thurrock were in the ascendancy but found themselves lucky to still be level when Gray’s over hit cross bounced on McMahon’s crossbar and over. With fifteen minutes left Lee scored the winner. Sutton were on the attack until Akurang won the ball in his own box. He sprayed the ball forwards to Hodges who found Lee with a perfectly weighted ball. Lee didn’t have to break stride as his thrashed the ball past Wilson on the half-volley. Thurrock went very deep after the goal seemed to be putting themselves under heavy pressure, yet they still broke up the pitch twice only for Kandol to fail to find the net when presented with good chances. Thurrock were lucky when Fear’s header went just wide in injury time.

 Man of the Match: Kris Lee

 Thurrock: McMahon, Collis, Goodfellow, Purdie (Goddard 62), McFarlane©, Hodges (Lawrence 76), Heffer, Kirby, Akurang, Martin (Lee 60), Kandol.