Thurrock extended their league unbeaten run to nine game with a 1-0 victory over struggling Eastbourne. The game started slowly and was briefly stopped twice as Jimmy McFarlane needed to leave the field to have a blood injury looked at. The first good chance of the match fell to Steve Harper but his shot was tipped around the post by Eastbourne stopper Lee Hook. Somehow the referee still managed to give a goal-kick! Thurrock scored as the half came to an end. Dave Collis laid the ball off to Garry Cross. Cross smashed a 25 yard shot which deflected off an Eastbourne head and over Hook into the middle of the goal!
Thurrock continued to press as the second half started and Cross was unlucky to see his long range shot saved by Hook. Eastbourne started to come back into the game and Glenn Knight had to be at his best to tip over the bar as Eastbourne pressed. John Purdie was called into action at the back moments later as his last gasp challenge stopped a shooting opportunity. Thurrock were unlucky not to get a penalty when Martin Carthy’s header was handballed in the box. The referee and linesman failed to spot the blatant offence. Eastbourne had a couple of late chances but twice failed to hit the target and Richard Goddard should have done better with five minutes to go but he failed to connect cleanly with Kris Lee’s pass.

Man of the Match: John Purdie

Thurrock: Knight, Collis, Goodfellow, McFarlane ©, Purdie, Cross, Carthy, Janney (Edwards 90), Hodges (Fletcher 73), Harper (Lee 67), Goddard.