Thurrock V Linford Wanderers is always a game full of goals and this one didnt let us down! We got off to a good start on a cold and slippery pitch. Brad went close with our first effort from one of his trademark free kicks which missed by a whisker! Andrew, playing out of position in the centre back role showed how valuable his pace was by charging back and blocking Linfords striker from getting to the ball over the top on a couple of occasions. A bright opening 10 minutes was closely followed by 20 minutes of aimless, none controlled football from us as we let Linford get control of the game. We were second to every ball, and not challenging enough to get good possesion of the ball. Our defence looked uncertain leading to a few mis-kicks and panic clearences and the midfield never seemed to be first to the ball. This all lead to our downfall when Linford took the lead in the 18th minute and we went 1-0 down. Linford now had the bit between their teeth and looked the stronger team. We just needed to get a goal and our heads would be up but it just wasn't going our way....... Linford continued to press us and in the 23rd minute had a good shot on target only to be denied by a great save from Tyler (thank god he was still switched on). Perhaps pushed on by Tylers save we began to look stronger and we started to push forward into Linfords half. We were trying to create chances and Jack was unlucky in the 26th minute when he took a shot on the turn and narrowly missed. On the side line Sam was now ready to come on and give some fresh legs and strength at the back, Rhys off - Sam on, Andy back into holding midfield. Shortly after in the 33rd minute Brad delivered one of his famous free kicks from 35 yards IT WAS IN!! 1-1 we were back in the game and as the pace built up with our determination we scored again soon after in the 35th minute from a great run from Connor which Jack finished 2-1. Thats more like it (better late than never). Linford were now looking shocked after loosing the lead and we took advantage of this when Lewis had a shot and scored with a belter in the 37th minute. Hooray no cross bar challenge for him today!!! This ended the first half unfortunately, we were on a roll and could of done without the a break at this moment, 3-1. Looking more confident we began the second as we meant to go on by continuing to press Linford and control the game we were passing well and making some good teams moves. We didn't have to wait long for all the work to pay off when Harry scored with a header, assisted by Connor, in the 43rd minute 4-1. In all the excitement Andrew made one of his famously fierce tackles which unfortuanately lead to a yellow card. We carried on with some good passing, however, we seemed to be loosing some pace and we began to look like we thought we had done enough. We began to be scrappy in places and a moment of panick lead to clash of bodies between Tyler and a Linford player. Tyler connected with the ball and made the save, but the Linford player went down and stayed down until he heard the magic word 'Penalty' - a bad decision by the ref as this should have been a drop ball. Linford scored their penalty in the 61 minute, 4-2 and they were back in the game. Ryan on his return to Linford (his former club) put himself about well and was involved in a few personal tussles on the pitch, he was replaced by Rhys in the 66th minute to save him from aggravating his back further as he was carrying an injury. Within a minute of the change Linford breached our defense again only to be denied by Tyler again even with the sun in his eyes!! In the 73rd minute Gerald and Taylor re-entered the game with Tayler playing in an usual midfield role for him, but in true Taylor style got stuck in and showed passion as he always does. Brad got his third free kick of the game in the 76th minute but was unlucky with the ball skimming the post and in the final minute of the game a rasping drive from Andrew was tipped over the bar by the keeper. Game over three points in the bag and another win! Comments: Darren - Bring on Stanford!! - Maybe as supporters we need to be more patient, the goals will come!
