Our man Mitchell Young was at the Brentwood Arena for Brentwood’s first match of the season.
Thurrock started their campaign in The Ryman League North with their first opening season game win in a decade after a 3-0 win against hosts Brentwood Town at The Brentwood Arena.
Former Brentwood Town player Ross Wall got his account started with a 67th minute volley, followed by an own goal from Jason Dobbs.
The result was concrete after another assist from Wall, for second half substitute Lamar Reynolds to tap in.
Brentwood almost got a goal in the opening moments as Courtney White slid in but Andy Walker blocked the shot.
Immediately at the other end Callum Ibe was brought down in the area by Olly Bowles but the referee deemed Bowles got a touch.
Sam Bantick had to come off injured and was replaced by Matt Hall, with Brentwood arguably being better side in the first 20 minutes of the match.
Alex Akofi skipped past his marker and struck his shot off the post just under the half hour mark and Lewis Clark for Thurrock almost put Jack Gardener’s free-kick in his own net five minutes later.
Akofi again nicked the ball in the box and his shot on the turn was blocked but fell to White who couldn’t get enough power on his shot.
Half-time substitute Lamar Reynolds broke the offside trap and was in on goal but Bowls got enough on it to tip it over the bar.
Three minutes into the second half and Akofi was slotted in but his side-footed shot was saved by the foot of Walker.
A Thurrock corner caused a goalmouth scramble after Remi Sutton header was off the post somehow remaining the tie goalless.
The game had a quiet period until the 67 minute when White’s header was tipped away by Walker to deny Brentwood.
Thurrock made the breakthrough two minutes later as Lewwis Spence poked the ball towards Ross Wall who smashed his volley past Bowls leaving him no chance.
The away side extended their lead eight minutes later as debutant Jack Paxman’s free-kick was deflected in by Jason Dobbs to double ‘The Fleet’s’ lead.
The visitors secured the three points two minutes from time as Wall broke through the defence and rolled the ball to the impact-sub Lamar Reynolds to tap in from close range and take the opening points back to Ship Lane.
Attendance: 104
Brentwood Lineups: 1 Olly Bowls, 2 Jack Gardner, 3 Louis Baucutt, 4 Martyn Stokes, © 5 Michael Alaile, 6 Jason Dobbs, 7 Sam Bantick (20), 8 Callum Webb (86), 9 Courtney White, 10 Alex Akrofi, 11 Sam Cross (75)
Subs: 12 Shad Nganda (86), 14 Christian Mbulu, 15 Matt Hall (20), 16 Robbie Rees (75)
Thurrock Lineup: 1 Walker, 2 Clark (38), 3 Sutton, 4 Gilman, 5 King, 6 Stewart, 7 Paxman (80),© 8 Spence, 9 Ibe (45), 10 Wall, 11 Warner
Subs: 12 Moore-Azille, 14 Okah (81), 15 Reynolds (45), 16 Goode (38), 17 Martin
