Thurrock won their fourth league game in five in a fairly dull game at Hayes’ Church Road ground.

The first half saw very few chances but they nearly all fell to Thurrock. Carl Williams, making his first start for Fleet, smashed a shot that was well saved. Moments later Martin Carthy had a header cleared off the line as the Hayes defence began to feel the pressure. Williams had another shot well saved and Glenn Knight had to be alert as Hayes broke away. The only other chance of the half saw Dave Collis’ 40 yard thunderbolt fly just over the bar.

The second started quickly with Fleet pressing. Thurrock’s first substitution came after 52 minutes when Mark Janney came on for the injured Boniek Forbes. It turned out to be the defining moment of the game as Janney put in an excellent display. His first contribution was to send over a brilliant cross which was put just wide by Carthy’s header. The winning goal came with 20 minutes left on the clock. Janney played the ball to Steve Harper who shot home from 25 yards, although the Hayes keeper will be disappointed not to have done better. Hayes came back into the game, with Knight making two good saves at the feet of the Hayes attackers,  but Fleet held firm under great pressure.

Man of the Match: John Purdie

Thurrock: Knight, Collis, Goodfellow, Fletcher, Purdie, McFarlane ©, Carthy, Forbes (Janney 52), Cross, Harper (Wallis 78), Goddard.