Cray were beaten as three goals in eight second half minutes gave Thurrock three points in Tommy Warrilow’s first game in charge of the Wands. Cray gave a hard working performance but the game went Thurrock’s way in the last twenty minutes.

Cray made three changes to the side that last played at Chatham Town on 27th December with Nick Humphrey returning after missing eight games through injury, Adrian Stone and Nathan Simpson coming in for Dmitri Larin, Hussein Isa and Ben Hunt.

Cray edged the game in the first half hour and created the first opening of the game when Tyrone Berry down the left put in a cross that was deflected out to Cesc Fakinos who shot wide of goal.

Shaun Welford’s long throws into the box were looking a positive ploy for Cray with twice Humphrey getting his head on the ball but each time his header just lacked the power to test Jordan Warren in the Thurrock goal.

Thurrock made their first half chance when Abs Thompson put in a cross which Ross Wall got his head to but the ball went straight to Darren Behcet in goal for Cray.

Welford set up Stone with a shot from just outside the area which Warren saved comfortably to his right. Tyrone Berry was lively during the early stages of the game and curled in a shot from the left which was deflected for a corner. He also had a header which went away from goal following a cross from Steve Springett.

The last 15 minutes of the half Thurrock started to take control and came close on 32 minutes when Lewwis Spence set up Wall who curled a shot over the crossbar.

A minute before half time James Goode’s corner was met by the head of Lewis Clark and his header bounced on top of the crossbar and over.

Then in first half stoppage time came the best chance of the half when Wall ran into the box and his attempt was blocked by Behcet and the rebound fell to Joel Nouble whose shot was cleared off the line.

Half Time: 0-0

Thurrock started the second half much the way they ended the first and Remi Sutton test Behcet from long range with a shot that was parried but the follow up was ruled offside. Then Robert Clark worked his way into the box but his shot was double blocked as Thurrock started to look threatening.

For Cray, Berry combined with Frank Griffin who put in a cross from the left which went to Fakinos who shot just wide of goal.

Simon King combined with Nouble for Thurrock who went down in the box but the referee waived away penalty claims as King then shot wide.

The game changed with the introduction of Brad Warner for Thurrock as he looked lively and helped to swing the game Thurrock’s way.

Welford flicked the ball on to Springett who shot from just inside the area but his effort was comfortably saved by Warren.

On 70 minutes Thurrock took the lead. Clark passed to Warner down the right who layed the ball off to Nouble just inside the box and from 8 yards turned and drilled a low shot into the net.

Two minutes later the visitors went two nil up when Thompson passed to Wall whose cross from the left was headed in by Warner under the despairing dive of Behcet.

By now Thurrock were well in control and went three up on 78 minutes when Warner was again played through and showed good composure to take the ball beyond Behcet and fire into the net although seemingly off balance.

Nouble showed a great piece with an attempted chipped shot from 18 yards out which went just wide and Wall and Lamar Reynolds shot wide of goal as Thurrock ran out the game comfortable winners in the end.

Cray: Darren Behcet, Frank Griffin, Nathan Simpson, Cesc Fakinos, Nick Humphrey (Capt.), Max Fitzgerald (CJ Williams, 78), Steve Springett, Alex Stavrinou, Shaun Welford (Ben Hunt, 84), Adrian Stone (Laurent Hamici, 69), Tyrone Berry
Subs: Nic Taylor, Hussein Isa

Thurrock: Jordan Warren, Lewis Clark, Aaron Waters (Brad Warner, 67), James Goode, Simon King, Robert Clark, Abs Thompson (Lamar Reynolds, 78), Lewwis Spence, Joel Nouble, Ross Wall (Kweku Ansah, 90), Remi Sutton: Subs: Michael Bottone, Lee Rome

Booked: Spence

Referee: David Smart
Assistants: Pitor Zacwieja, David Lumani

Att. 88