Thurrock 1 Yeading 0

Nationwide Conference South - Saturday 23 September 2006

Yeading's good record against Thurrock came to end on Saturday and but for the debatable spot kick that separated the two sides there was little to get excited about in this encounter.

There was little to choose between the two sides in the opening fifteen minutes, neither side looked confident on the ball or capable of creating chances. Yeading forced a number of early corners while their hosts relied upon the long throws of Leigh Harrington but neither goalkeeper was forced into a save.

Yeading just didn't seem switched on to the game against a side bottom-of-table who sensed potential to change their run of form. Wesley Thomas looked quick and lively up front for the hosts with Ben Huddell applying enough pressure to force him to shoot wide on fifteen minutes. Moments later Steve Harper's cross-cum-shot sped across the face of goal with Thomas too late at the far post. On the twenty minute mark another warning for Yeading saw Hassan Nyang shoot wide faced with an open goal and before the midway mark of the half was reached Nyang had seen his free kick blocked on the line by Luke Blackmore and Nevin Saroya block the rebound from Thomas.

Yeading had been riding their luck with their own best chances weak long range efforts never likely to be match winners. With few exceptions the Ding were in poor form with possession lost, passes missed and creativity lacking all too often against a side bottom of the table prior to this game. On another day Yeading may have continue to ride their luck as their hosts were fairing little better. Unfortunately, referee on twenty-nine minutes when Luke Blackmore rushed to the edge of his box to block Thomas' run through and looked ot have deflected the ball wide for a corner, referee McCoy aw it as a penalty. Quickly recovered Thomas sent Blackmore the wrong way from the spot for a twenty-nine minute winner. Blackmore's foul not deemed worthy of a card but defender Bobby Behzadi gaining one for his protest.

On thirty-three minutes Yeading's only real chance saw Danny Allen-Page's shot turned over by Max Aneka in the Thurrock net and with a second half remembered more for the regular appearance of the Thurrock Physio, all watching were pleased for the final whistle.

Yeading: Blackmore, Behzadi, Hudell, Bowden-Haase, Saroya, Davies, Allen-Page, Hatton (Quamina 65), Morgan (Haule 81), Patterson. Subs not used: Collins, Goddard, Everitt