Honours even between U12 White and East Thurrock by Andrew Colman
A classic “game of two halves” as the breeze and the slope played its part in a keenly contested 2-2 draw at East Thurrock. Buckhurst Hill dominated for much of the first half, successive free-kicks by London, Risby and Corlis all forcing good saves from the home team’s keeper. Lawrence, Bruns and Anamole were dominant in midfield, restricting East Thurrock to occasional forays which were ably dealt with by the defensive four of Creasey, Cooper, Nurse and Corlis. Midway through the first half Hill deservedly took the lead when a right wing throw-in by Bruns found its way to Risby, who turned superbly before slotting the ball left-footed past the keeper to make it 1-0. Creasey was forced into a fantastic last-ditch tackle at the other end, and Dennis had to be smartly off his line on two occasions to thwart the home side. Colman came close with a snap shot on the turn, but it was not long before an Anamole pass put Oliver clear through the inside-left channel, and he was calmness personified as he stroked the ball home to make it 2-0. Minutes later Oliver was through again after a sublime pass by Risby, but this time the keeper saved well at his feet. Creasey made another crucial interception on the stroke of half-time, but the score at midway was far from flattering, with Dennis hardly having to make a save in the first period.
The second half saw the introduction of Dermibala, Page and Nicholls, but with the assistance of the slope and breeze East Thurrock slowly began to claw their way back into the game. A poor clearance gifted the home team with a goal to make it 2-1, but at the other end Buckhurst Hill came close to extending their lead when Cooper’s shot bounced off the top of the crossbar. A defensive mix-up gifted East Thurrock an equaliser at 2-2, but again Hill bounced back with Page denied by a fine save and Cooper hitting
the resulting rebound just over. The home side were still looking for all three points, and were denied at the death only by a superb save by Dennis diving to his left. 2-2 was the final score, probably a fair result on the balance of play.
Man of the match went to Corlis for a combative display on the left.
