News in Thurrock

TROUBLED East Thurrock United, whose future remains uncertain, have nevertheless appointed a new manager for the next season - though it is not yet clear in which division the club will be playing.

The Isthmian Premier club were in mid table last season, having slipped away from the play-off race before the season was curtailed because of coronavirus.

IT'S as you were on the board of community-owned Grays Athletic Football Club, as it continues its campaign to find a new home back in Grays.

The constitution of the fan-owned football club dictates that periodically a number of directors have to stand down from their positions. And chairman Steve Skinner, vice-chair Glyn Jarvis and finance Director Packer were all due to do so.

EAST Thurrock United has announced four new appointments as the club restructures following the departure of long-serving manager John Coventry and the entire club administrative team.

Coventry announced he was leaving prior to the coronavirus outbreak citing the 'horrendous' financial situation at the club and the turmoil about its future following the death of Ben Bennett, whose daughter owns the club and ground.

PROMOTION hopes of two of Thurrock's non-League clubs have been dashed with news this afternoon (Thursday, 26 March) that the season will be scrapped.

Aveley and Tilbury were very much in the promotion hunt in the BetVictor Isthmian North, with Aveley in second place and Tilbury third - though both were well behind runaway leaders Maldon & Tiptree. Grays Athletic sit in mid-table.

THURROCK Ladies rugby club's important National Women's National Championship Playoff Cup match scheduled for today (Sunday, 15 March) became a casualty of the coronavirus after four of the visiting Cheltenham Tigers squad showed symptoms of the virus.

With the Rugby Football Union keen to keep the grassroots game going and recommending that all local matches are played, the tie could yet be scheduled for next weekend - or the following one - but no firm decision has been made.

HOT on the heels of big wins against Harlow and Colchester, Thurrock RFC U14s took on a very useful Rochford RFC side at Oakfield.

Weather conditions were challenging at Oakfield to say the least and Tees played with the assistance of a strong wind in the first half. Right from the off, mid field Tees pairing Early at 9 and McAllister at 10 were hungry for the ball moving their forward pack along so well that bustling no.8 Reynolds twisted his way past the Rochford defence for a try on Tees first attack. The try was duly converted by McAllister. 7-0

NON-League matches featuring East Thurrock United, Aveley, Tilbury and Grays Athletic have been called off because of coronavirus.

The Isthmian League board has decided that as an immediate step matches scheduled for tomorrow and next midweek will be postponed and we will review the situation daily as to when fixtures can recommence.

Romford 1, Tilbury 0

TILBURY suffered disappointment on a Wednesday night that will not long be remembered - other than it saw Romford climb off the foot of the BetVictor Isthmian North where they have been since August.

Aveley 4, Basildon United 0

AVELEY produced the dominating display they needed to refocus minds on a promotion challenge after the heady heights of a magnificent FA Trophy run that threatened to derail the Millers' quest to make it to the BetVictor Isthmian Premier.

Aveley FC snatched a dramatic point on the road at 2nd place Heybridge Swifts on Saturday in a match dominated by the swirling wind and the uneven surface which prevented the Millers from playing their usual passing game.

An even unexceptional first half left the Parkside club trailing to an Alex Teniola goal when a defensive mix up allowed Heybridge to fire a ball across the face of goal and Ex-Miller Teniola, the current league top scorer, was on hand to turn the ball in from 12 yards out