Capital League
Wednesday 17th August 2005
	Thurrock	4 - 0	AFC Hornchurch
Harper 1' 34' (pen), Parker 2' Donel 90+4'		H/T 3-0 Att: 34

Match Highlights

Thurrock

AFC Hornchurch

Harper - GOAL	1
Parker - GOAL	2
Forbes - BOOKED	26	SENT OFF - Williams
	32	OFF - Marler ON - Adetyo
Harper (pen) - GOAL	34
Davidson - OFF Donel - ON	45
	52	OFF - Dannie ON - Saroyi
Lawrence - OFF Broom - ON	59
	70	OFF - Hefford ON - Makitu
	74	BOOKED - Thomas
Richmond - OFF Smith - ON	76
Donel - GOAL	94

Match Report by Tony Middleton

Urchins first Capital League game of the season was somewhat low key. With no programmes and no tannoy announcements, the handful of spectators were left wondering who was who. At the start only 34 spectators were in attendance, including club officials. With three players unable to play, it was a somewhat unusual Hornchurch line up, consisting of youth team players plus triallists. In contrast Thurrock fielded eight first team players. Predictably this was always going to be a one-sided game, and when Thurrock opened the scoring after less than a minute, it was no great surprise, with STEVE HARPER running on to a mistimed back pass and gliding the ball into the net. Less than a minute later, it was two nil, when Boniek Forbes played the ball into the middle from the left wing, and ADAM PARKER found himself unmarked and he had plenty of time to head the second goal. Parker went close a minute later, and Forbes, Lawrence and Parker all had shots saved before Urchins were able to offer any kind of attack, with Lee Springer ploughing solo through the middle, but Purdie covered and a somewhat hurried shot was saved by Martin.

Thurrock were taking the match seriously, perhaps too seriously, and a midfield incident on 26 minutes ended with Sam Williams receiving a red card. Boniek Forbes was perhaps fortunate to escape with a yellow card, whilst Adam Parker received nothing at all. With a player short, Urchins were then briefly reduced to nine players when Marler went off, to be replaced eventually by Adetyo. Whilst he was waiting to come on, referee Dave Axcell awarded a somewhat dubious penalty, and STEVE HARPER placed his kick well wide of Stannard, son of Redbridge manager Jim Stannard, who was present and offering advice from the touchline.

Three nil and a player short at half time, Urchins still managed to contain Thurrock in the second half, although Stannard was frequently in action, including making the save of the match from Forbes, who was excelling on the left wing. Jason Broom came on for Thurrock, which surprised the away following, as he was not listed on the team sheet, but he made his mark very quickly, being very fortunate to escape without any form of booking when involved in another midfield incident. Yes, Thurrock were certainly taking the match very seriously, and clearly enjoying themselves against the young and inexperienced Urchins. Urchins rarely got into a shooting position, though Danny Gill did well to break through on the left, although his cross went behind. Nathan Philip worked hard in defence, as did Gareth Thomas, whilst Ket Makitu came on to boost the defence, to the extent that Forbes quickly switched over to the other side of the field, and played on the right wing.

It looked as if the ten-man Urchins would at least draw the second half, but in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Stannard failed to hold a hard shot from outside the area, and FINLEY DONAL followed up to score with the final kick of the match.
 

  Teams

Thurrock Wayne Martin Craig Davidson Bradley Stevens John Purdie Ron Fletcher Adam Parker Martyn Lawrence Neil Richmond Kevin Green Steve Harper Boniek Forbes SUBS Pablo De-Olivera Finley Donel Chris Day Danny Smith Jason Broom

- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 * 12 14 15 16 17

AFC Hornchurch Darren Stannard Gareth Thomas Darren Brewer Nathan Philip Sam Williams (c) Tony Marler Malcolm Dannie Stuart Roberts Lee Springer John Hefford Danny Gill SUBS Ket Koka-Makitu Ayo Adetyo Ola Saroyi

Man of the Match Nominated by ...

Match Officials: Dave Axcell with J Faithful and A Berry

Weather Conditions:  Clear 20 degrees at start, 16 degrees at finish

Match Duration: First half 45 mins, Second half 49mins
 

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