Match photo's

Thurrock lost in their attempt to make the Conference at the first hurdle after a weak second half performance against Eastbourne Borough.

Thurrock were quick out of the blocks and nearly took the lead in the third minute when Adam Parker’s close range header was smothered by Hook in the Eastbourne goal. Five minutes later a long ball over the top saw Brayley outpace the Borough defence and volley towards the top corner only for Hook to deny him again. Thurrock were rampant and with ten minutes on the clock a quick free kick from Glenn Poole was well saved again by Hook who got up quickly to save the rebound from the onrushing Parker. The first goal went to Eastbourne and was completely against the run of play. The ball was bouncing around the edge of the box until Ben Austin smashed a volley past the helpless Andy Woodman in the Thurrock goal. Thurrock responded well and twice nearly equalised from an unlikely source. Bertie Brayley’s weighted pass was headed goalwards by Craig Davidson only for Hook to acrobatically tip over the bar. Moments later a well hit 30 yarder by Davidson was well dealt with by the Eastbourne keeper. After twenty minutes Thurrock had a stonewall penalty turned down. Brayley outpaced Phil Warner and was brought down in the box, only for the referee to give nothing. Thurrock continued to pressure and five minutes before half time got their reward. Kris Lee beat Hook and was brought down by the Borough keeper who was fortunate only to receive a yellow card. Poole sent Hook the wrong way to equalise. Thurrock charged forward and scored a trademark goal moments before half time when captain Jimmy McFarlane headed in from Poole’s corner.

Thurrock started the second half brightly and should have doubled their lead two minutes after the restart when Lee’s close range shot went wide. Eastbourne then started to get more and more into the game and it was no surprise when they equalised just after the hour mark. Poor marking allowed Andy Atkin to head home unmarked from 8 yards. Eastbourne were coming forward in waves and took the lead with a spectacular goal. Stuart Tuck blasted the ball into the top corner from 35 yards to send the away fans mad. Thurrock huffed and puffed but never looked likely to get an equaliser and the game was put beyond them in injury time when Yemi Obadube squared to Ramsay who slotted home after a classic counter attack.

Man of the Match: Mark Goodfellow

 Thurrock: Woodman, Collis, Davidson (Buffong 79), McFarlane ©, Goodfellow, Goddard, Heffer, Parker (Hodges 68), Poole, Brayley, Lee (Shipp 64).