Thurrock 2-1 Waltham Abbey

From Ship Lane

Ryman One North

THURROCK scored a late winner to keep them in pole position to secure a second-placed finish in the Ryman One North.

Jordan Clark kept his nerve to score a 90th minute penalty and keep Fleet level on points with third-placed Harlow, whose goal difference is just one inferior to Thurrock’s.

However, with Harlow to travel to champions AFC Sudbury in their final game and Thurrock visiting rivals Aveley, who sit mid-table, Fleet may have the advantage.

Thurrock started in style and it took just 10 minutes for the first goal, with Danny Francis manoeuvring an opening and finding the net with aplomb.

Thurrock were in charge although Waltham Abbey weren’t going down without a fight. In fact, they levelled the scoring 10 minutes before the interval as Ryan Flack beat the dive of Rhys Madden to equalise.

Level at the break, Fleet needed to get the winning goal and threw on Charlie Stimson in the search for it.

But it was Clark that took the plaudits, firing home to give Thurrock all three points and ensure a home tie against either Cray Wanderers or AFC Hornchurch in the play-off semi-final.

Thurrock: Madden, Morgan, L Clark, Baker, Sutton, Toner (Goode), J Clark, Spence, Wall, Cowley, Francis (Stimson)