AFTER a defeat this evening (Wednesday, 20 April), East Thurrock United face a nerve-wracking last day of the season on Saturday when their place in the Isthmian Premier Division is at stake.

The Rocks could have ensured their survival with a win against Crays Athletic at Bromley this evening, but they ended up beaten 4-1 by their relegation rivals.

The trip to Bromley FC's Hayes Lane ground had been delayed from Monday because Cray are tenants of the national league side, and the delay may have taken some of the impetus from a run of five matches without defeat for the Corringham side who found themselves a goal behind after Crays' Chris Dickson scored on 24 minutes and things got worse five minutes later when Soul Kader extended Wanderers' lead.

Chris Dickson effectively put the match out of reach with Crays' third on the hour and though Oli Coker got one back on 72 minutes the last word was with the home side when Sam Wood completed the scoring four minutes from time.

That means nerves will be frayed at a number of grounds on Saturday, not just in the Isthmian North. Because only nine teams are to be relegated from the four step three divisions this year the four clubs in the Isthmian Premier, North Premier, Southern Premier Central and Southern Premier South that finish third from bottom are in the danger zone. The one with the worst points per game record will go down.

The sides in the Northern Premier and Southern Premier Central have better records and will be safe, leaving Kings Langley from the Southern Premier South and four clubs from the Isthmian Premier still with survival to play for.

With one match left for all of them, Kings Langley have 34 points from 41 matches and a goals difference of -21.

East Thurrock, currently third bottom in the Isthmian, have 35 points from 41 and a goals difference of -52 while the two clubs below them are Merstham 33 points from 41 and -40 goals and Leatherhead, 33 points from 41 and -42.

advertisement

So a win for East Thurrock in their final match, at home to Horsham, will see them safe. A draw or defeat will see them anxiously checking other results with Kings Langley away to Salisbury, Leatherhead home to Potters Bar, Merstham home to Carshalton Athletic and Cray at second-placed and promotion-chasing Bishops Stortford.