Thurrock recorded a good victory over a determined Rovers’ side that didn’t give in. The game started with a flurry as Boniek Forbes’ excellent run and cross was flicked goalwards by trialist Neil Richmond only to see the effort turned around the post. A minute later Wakering were ahead.

Richard Goddard was turned and the cross found was met well at the far post and slotted past Glenn Knight in the Thurrock goal. Thurrock went straight back onto the attack and Kris Lee was unlucky with a close range effort that was well blocked.

Lee was in the action again moments later when his through ball found Forbes who headed past the keeper, only to see it cleared off the line by a covering defender. Lee did equalise after 24 minutes when his left footed drive found the bottom corner from 18 yards. Seven minutes later Thurrock took the lead. Lee’s through ball fell to Richmond who slotted home from close range as the home defence were calling for an offside that never was. Lee’s brilliant first half performance was nearly rounded off with a second goal as his right footed shot was saved on the goal line.

The second half started a bit quieter than the first but Thurrock nearly doubled their lead when Brazilian trialist Pablo beat a challenge in the box and fired in a shot which was well held by the Wakering keeper. The game fell into a midfield battle, which was only livened up when Knight saved well as Wakering pressed for an equaliser. Just as the game looked to be petering out it took an excellent challenge from Mark Goodfellow to prevent a levelling goal. Thurrock broke and Steve Harper shot over when he probably should have put the result beyond doubt.

Thurrock From: Knight, McFarlane, Goddard, Fletcher, Davidson, Goodfellow, Broom, Stevens, Collis, Bowes, Heffer, Hodges, Pablo, Forbes, Lee, Parker, Harper, Richmond, O’Connor.