Hornchurch 1 East Thurrock United 1

[Urchins]

A win would have, of course, been nice but it was perhaps a fair result against an in-form side.

 

We fell behind after seven minutes when a Scott Holding free kick was seemingly clawed off the line by Dmitri Kharine. Controversially the linesman indicated that the ball had crossed the line and a goal was given amide much confusion. Our first half performance was below par but we had chances towards the interval, a Chris Moore header from a Benstock corner dipping over on 36 minutes and Danny Winney getting a toe to clear with Steve Jones shaping to shoot from a Benstock header into the area in the 41st minute.

 

An early equaliser was required and it came in the 54th minute, courtesy of a headed own goal from Danny Winney - until last Monday a Hornchurch player - from a Danny Cowley throw into the area and with Steve Jones right behind him. A Benstock free kick floated into the area was met by Vinnie John in the 61st minute, his headed beating keeper Mark Hardingham but clearing the crossbar. Two minutes later Thurrock nearly scored another own goal, this time Mark Barry narrowly missing his near post when clearing a Steve Jones centre. John headed just over again on 81 minutes and we nearly wrapped up the points with 4 minutes left when after probably the best move of the match Nick Lowery rattled the crossbar with a strike from 12 yards.

 

Line-up: Kharine, McGowan, Kimble, Moore, Jopson, Marsden, Southon, Cowley, Jones (Martin 68), John, Benstock (Lowery 83). Subs not used: Gooding, Cripps, Wood (GK)