Success at Ship Lane

Waltham Abbey 0

NON LEAGUE: THURROCK FC beat Waltham Abbey 2-0 At Ship Lane on Saturday afternoon in the Ryman League Division One North.

David Knight grabbed two for Thurrock in an entertaining and feisty encounter.

The game started with high intensity and Thurrock were the main pressing threat. An early opportunity arose for the Fleet's midfielder Lewis Perkins but his effort was turned behind the goal by Waltham Abbey's keeper, Richard Wray.

Abbey responded almost immediately but their curling effort spun into Andy Walker's hands.

The high tempo game was starting to add quite vigorous challenges to its list and if not for a head injury for Thurrock's Bradley Wanrner, it may have continued.

It was becoming an end-to-end match with neither side really taking a foothold on proceedings. There were no clear cut opportunities being created by either side but there was the impetuous from both sides.

Thurrock had a strong shout for a penalty turned down midway through the first half when Ross Wall was hauled down inside the box however the referee, Peter Conn, turned down the appeal. Though this spurred the Fleet on and they should have taken the lead by the 35th minute. The ball looped into Waltham Abbey's box and with the goal gaping Warner struck a sweet volley however the ball flew narrowly over the crossbar.

A chance then came begging for Wall but he could not keep it on target. Things do come in threes though and it was third time lucky for Thurrock. The ball once again was played into the box and it was easy enough for Knight to take it round the despairing opposition goalkeeper to score a simple tap-in.

Abbey were struggling to get hold of the ball with the Fleet closing everything down quickly and effectively. Waltham did come out in the second-half with a new source of energy and hit the post in the opening seconds.

Though it was a near perfect reply from Thurrock who could have extended their lead but Wall was offside when he poked in Lewis Perkins' cross.

The game started to dry out as the second-half went on with neither side creating any real stand out opportunities.

With 65 minutes on the clock Abbey could have got back on terms but it was terrific defending from Thurrock to keep the long range effort out.

Stop start stop start was a key theme to the match with a free-kick being awarded every other minute.

Another chance opened up for Waltham Abbey and this time it was one on one with Andy Walker but the opposition striker screwed the ball wide. Deep into injury time with both sides tiring David Knight came in again to double Thurrock's lead and secure the win for the Fleet. .