Waltham Abbey 2, Thurrock 1

RYMAN ONE NORTH: FLEET boss Mark Stimson saw his team unexpectedly lose.

The defeat, to Waltham Abbey at Capershots has delivered a big blow to Stimmo’s ambitions for his high flying Thurrock FC. Fleet have Ryman One North play-off hopes, and looked to be making good these with a string of decent results before the weekend defeat.

Things had looked good for Fleet against Waltham Abbey when Kurt Smith netted his first for the club after nine minutes and the visitors dominated the first half without being able to extend their lead.

The hosts responded well in the second half and drew level on the hour when Christian Wheeler poked the ball home.

Thurrock’s frustration was compounded when top scorer David Knight – always a volatile commodity – talked himself into a red card in the 73rd minute. His absence will be critical in games to come and they also proved expensive in the closing stages of this game as Tom Bruno scored a 90th minute winner for Waltham Abbey.

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