Thurrock 1-0 AFC Hornchurch

(Sutton 12’)

From Ship Lane

Ryman North play-off semi-final

 

THURROCK booked their place in the Ryman North play-off final after sealing a 1-0 win over AFC Hornchurch at Ship Lane.

Remi Sutton gave the hosts an early lead they never relinquished and Fleet will now travel to Maldon & Tiptree – who won their play-off semi-final with Haringey Borough 5-4 – for the Ryman North play-off final on Sunday.

It was always likely to be a close-fought contest, with both sides winning their respective home games 2-0 in the Ryman North this term.

The clash was also a rematch of last year’s play-off semi-final, which saw the Urchins come out on top.

The hosts enjoyed the majority of possession in the early exchanges and Mark Stimson’s side took the lead inside 12 minutes.

Sutton gave Fleet the lead after the left back ghosted into the penalty area and latched onto a cross. His right footed strike gave AFC Hornchurch goalkeeper Sam Mott no chance as it nestled in the bottom corner.

Just moments later, Urchins winger Abs Seymour looked to catch out Bobby Mason, but the Thurrock goalkeeper was equal to Seymour’s near post strike.

Although the home side had enjoyed the better of the opening 20 minutes, Hornchurch began to grow into the game and create chances.

The best of which fell to striker Martin Tuohy on the half hour mark.

Alex Bentley broke down the left hand side and his cross was brilliantly taken down by the striker. But Tuohy’s effort was directed straight at Mason, who was able to make an easy save.

But Thurrock’s defence, led by Richard Halle, proved difficult for the Urchins to break down and so took a one-goal advantage into half time.

Both sides were forced into substitutions early in the second half through injury. George Winn had been struggling towards the end of the first period and failed to reappear after the interval. Reece Morgan replaced him, while David Cowley was brought on for the injured Charlie Stimson just before the hour mark.

Abs Seymour, meanwhile, was forced off for Hornchurch only five minutes into the second half and replaced by Teddy Nesbitt, who missed a golden opportunity on 62 minutes.

A long ball over the top put Nesbitt through one-on-one with Mason. But the Fleet goalkeeper scampered off his line to block the substitute’s effort.

With the Urchins still needing to find an equaliser, Jimmy McFarlane made attacking changes in an attempt to sway the game in their favour, with George Purcell and Ross Wall being brought on.

But Jordan Clark came close to extending Thurrock’s lead soon after as his long-range volley went just wide.

Fleet went close again soon after as Glenn Poole’s free kick into the penalty area deflected off a Hornchurch defender and went inches wide of Mott’s post.

With eight minutes to play, Thurrock came close to putting the game out of the Urchins’ reach.

Poole’s long ball found Ronnie Winn, who held the ball up before finding Sutton on the overlap. But his shot flashed across the face of goal, with Mark Onyemah not far off tapping the ball home.

But Sutton’s early goal proved to be enough for Fleet, who will be looking to get the better of Maldon & Tiptree in the play-off final and win a place in the Ryman Premier League.

Thurrock: Bobby Mason, Ronnie Winn, Remi Sutton, Richard Halle, Mark Onyemah (Jack Barham 90’), Joe Bruce, Jordan Clark, Glenn Poole, Charlie Stimson (David Cowley 58’), Joe Christou, George Winn (Reece Morgan 45’)

AFC Hornchurch: Sam Mott, Gary Cohen, Alex Bentley, Kenzer Lee, Nathan Cooper, Elliot Styles, Abs Thomas (Ross Wall 66’), Jed Chouman, Leon McKenzie (George Purcell 66’), Martin Tuohy, Abs Seymour (Teddy Nesbitt 49’)