TEN-MAN Thurrock earned a hard-fought draw against play-off rivals Maldon & Tiptree in a game littered with refereeing controversy.

The home side may have been fearing the worst after striker Charlie Stimson was sent off seconds before the interval, moments after his manager, and dad, Mark Stimson had also been given his marching order by the referee.

Indeed ref Stuart Franklin was very much the man in the middle, with a number of dubious decisions, as well as showing 11 yellow cards, seven to Thurrock.

The Charlie Stimson sending off came during a five-minute spell of madness in which Maldon & Tiptree took the lead, but were pegged back 60 seconds later in what was Thurrock’s first real chance of the match.

The away side started the match on the front foot but the first meaningful attempt on goal wasn’t until 30 minutes. The impressive Ollie Berquez fed Michael Toner in the box and his left foot shot went just wide of the far post.

Stimson had already been booked by this point and it looked like he was destined for an early shower when he charged down a free-kick. The laws of the game said red card but Mr Franklin let him off the hook.

The visitors took the lead seconds later when defender Spencer Harrison rifled home after good build up play between Toner and Bradley Hunter.

Far from let their heads drop Thurrock hit back immediately. A corner was whipped in and Ricardo Santos outjumped the rest to nod past Jason Willis.

Thurrock should have gone into half –time with a spring in their step but a moment of madness from striker Stimson saw him pick up a foolish booking for attempting a diving header, only to miss the ball and divert it goalwards using an outstretched hand.

Despite the man advantage Maldon & Tiptree failed to capitalise. Thurrock never lost their shape and didn’t allow their opponents any clear-cut chances in the second period, and home ‘keeper Andy Walker didn’t have to make a save until ten minutes from the end.

Mark Stimson declined to talk to the Gazette at the full-time whistle.

The result keeps Thurrock in third place.

Thurrock XI : Andy Walker, Lewis Clark, Ricardo Santos, Anton Blackwood, Rob Gilman (Martin), Rob Clark, Luke Stanley (Warner), Loui Hazelwood (Iberia), Ross Wall, Charlie Stimson, Lewis Perkins

 

Maldon & Tiptree XI : Jason Willis, Spencer Harrison, Alberto Pinto (Condon), Danny Johnson, Bradley Vaughan, Michael Toner, Russell Pond, Lewis Dark, Bradley Hunter (Nash), Joe Gardner (Stevenson), Ollie Berquez

Gazette MOM: Ricardo Santos (Thurrock)