Thurrock Havant anything to show for domination

10:00pm Tuesday 4th March 2008

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Thurrock 0, Havant and Waterlooville 2

THURROCK dominated this match, illustrated by a 17-1 corner count in their favour, but they were given a lesson in finishing.

To win games you must take the chances that come your way. This is something that Thurrock manager Hakan Hayrattin will need to drum into his team as his side more than matched their opponents Havant & Waterlooville in all aspects of the game except in the most important one of putting the ball in the net.

Goals from Shaun Wilkinson, two minutes before half time and Rocky Baptiste with seven minutes to go saw the Hawks to a 2-0 victory that will certainly help their play-off aspirations.

It was the home side who made the early running with a difficult chance coming the way of David Bryant as early as the first minute. Shortly after a cross from the right from Che Stadhart was just too far forward of Greg Lincoln for him to get a shot in. A good run down the right by Bryant ended with him shooting wide, while an overhead kick from Stadhart was also off target.

It was not until the 27th minute that Havant had their first shot on goal when Charlie Henry's long-range effort was comfortable saved by David Blackmore.

In the 35th minute Thurrock should have taken the lead. Greg Lincoln played the ball through to Stadhart who was clear of the Havant defence. Stadhart took the ball to the right of Havant keeper Kevin Scriven and with the goal at his mercy somehow put the shot wide.

Fleet were to pay dearly for this miss as eight minutes later Havant took the lead. Henry's cross from the right evaded the Thurrock defence and found its way to Wilkinson whose left foot shot was too good for Blackmore.

Right on half time Kenny Clark wasted another good chance for Thurrock when from close range, following a corner his shot was blocked on the line.

Thurrock did not quite have the ascendancy in the second half but were still able to force 10 corners.

But corners don't win matches. Havant made sure of the points in the 83rd minute when Baptiste fired home from about six yards from a right wing cross.