A Lee Hodges wonder goal 10 minutes from time earned Fleet three points in a tough encounter on Monday night. Looking to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat, Thurrock nearly conceded a very similar goal to Cambridge’s on Saturday when Eastbourne ran across the width of the pitch only for Billy McMahon to push away Ramsay’s shot. At the other end Lee Hodges’ trickery earned him a chance to cross, he found Kris Lee whose header went just over. Minutes later Eastbourne hit the post when Ramsay’s 25 yarder had McMahon beaten. Ryan Kirby was then unlucky with a close range header from Dave Collis’ free kick. Ten minutes before half time Billy McMahon made a tremendous double save from Tuck and Storey.

          The second half was certainly better for Thurrock. They pressed early and Kandol should have done better when he skied over from 6 yards after a goalmouth scramble. Kandol was extremely unlucky a minute later. Cliff Akurang, looking a much better player back on the wing, beat two players and played in an undefendable cross. Kandol’s touch flicked the ball goalwards only to see Hook’s outstretched leg deny him. Eastbourne tried for an equaliser but another McMahon save from substitute Myall ensured the points went to Fleet.

Man of the Match: Billy McMahon 

Thurrock: McMahon, Collis, Purdie, Goddard, McFarlane©, Hodges, Kirby, Heffer, Akurang (Goodfellow 82), Lee (Buffong 75), Kandol