Thurrock 5-2 Waltham Abbey

From Ship Lane

Ryman One North

 

THURROCK secured their place in the play-offs with a thumping late win against mid-table Waltham Abbey.

Although not mathematically assured, Fleet have a three point lead and a 28 goal advantage over the side directly below them with only one game remaining, meaning any last day drama should be avoided.

The news will come as a relief to Mark Stimson, after his team lost out on a play-off place last season on the final day.

Fleet were worthy winners on the day, although it took a long time for Abbey to accept defeat, with three goals in the last 17 minutes assuring Thurrock of the win.

It was actually Abbey who struck first, as Louis Bristow slid in to slot past Rhys Madden after only seven minutes, despite the goalkeeper’s desperate attempts to keep the ball out.

However, Fleet weren’t in arrears for long as Lewwis Spence and Charlie Stimson combined to put Joe Christou in and he slammed home midway through the first period.

Ross Wall put Fleet in control with a landmark goal for Thurrock – their 100th in the league this season – as he lobbed the goalkeeper following a fine lofted pass from Stimson.

Wall was denied by the Abbey stopper soon after but they did lead at the break.

A mess at the back allowed Abbey to level up shortly after half-time, with Aaron Waters conceding a free-kick, which Jason Hallett hit home at the second time of asking.

Christou shot wide before Lewis Clark cleared off the goal-line to keep Fleet level, with gaps opening up at the back as the home side poured forward in search for a winner.

And they did go ahead when the lively Stimson finished well after impressive wing play from Leslie Thompson.

Stimson’s side grabbed a much-needed two goal cushion with six minutes remaining – when Waters’ throw found Spence and he played in Thompson to score.

Spence still had time to get in on the act himself, striking a fine volley with the outside of his boot from the edge of the area to put some gloss on the scoreline and make it 5-2.

 

Thurrock: R Madden, G Madden, L Clark, Waters, Sutton, Goode, Thompson (Clark), Spence, Christou, Wall (Carvell), Stimson (Menga)