Ryman League - Thurrock 1 Hornchurch 3

[Urchins]

A terrific win tonight against a strong side. Apart from a 10 minute spell in the second half we always looked in control.

 

After early near misses from Scott Gooding, a cross headed away from under the bar, and Steve West, a shot just over, we took the lead in the 26th minute courtesy of a helpful deflection. John Keeling cracked in a shot from all of 25 yards which took a slight deflection and beat home keeper Paul Gothard via the post. Keeling made Gothard work again 6 minutes later with a mazy run along the edge of the penalty area and a firm shot which was well held.

 

Early in the second half a Vinnie John header from a Keeling crossed was tipped over, but we extended our lead in the 58th minute. A John Keeling outswinging corner was headed back towards goal by Jamie Southon where Gothard parried the ball away only to see Steve West step up to blast the ball into the corner from 10 yards. 5 minutes later Thurrock made a double substitution and it was after this that they began to really threaten. They were awarded a penalty with just over 15 minutes to go after Tresor Kandol tumbled in the area running in to a whipped in cross. Kandol converted coolly. We weathered the minor storm and put the game beyond doubt with just over 5 minutes left when a defender failed to connect with a clearing header from a Jude Sterling throw and Andrew Martin, on as substitute only two minutes previously, scored unchallenged from about 8 yards.

 

Line-up:- Gay, Gooding, Kerrigan, Adedeji, West, Southon, Keeling, Sterling, John, Douglas (A Martin 81), McGowan (J Martin 81). Subs not used:- Bradley, Lowery, Collier (GK)