Borough stickmen are under the cosh (From Thurrock Gazette)

Third string on the rack

9:50am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Sport

HOCKEY: THURROCK’S third string went down to a painful 12-1 defeat against Witham.

With several regular players unavailable, Thurrock faced the team lying top of Division 7SE. Witham had dropped only eight points all season.

With no recognised keeper, youngster Luke Strudwick volunteered to don the kit for Thurrock.

The home take had the first push back and attacked strongly, however defender Neil Donovan made a timely tackle and quickly moved the ball up for Dave Everett to beat two players before passing to Michael Fleming to dribble into the area and hammer the ball past the keeper.

Witham were spurred into action and drew level within five minutes.

Encouraged by their goal, Witham piled on the pressure and Thurrock found themselves trailing by five goals by half time.

After the break Thurrock were penned in their own half and conceded a string of short corners from which Witham added three more goals.

Thurrock’s woes were compounded by three own goals.

For hockey results and pictures see the THURROCK GAZETTE every Friday