Hooper’s Hot Shot
A controversial late strike from teenage sensation Gary Hooper handed Grays a dramatic victory in a pulsating New Year’s derby.
Hooper’s last gasp goal was a bitter pill for Thurrock to swallow; they had been the better side for much of the second half and had shown great character to take a Grays side, who had comprehensively beaten them six days’ earlier, right to the limit.
But grinding out these sorts of victories is the hallmark of championship winning sides and Grays certainly look to be that.
Grays boss, Mark Stimson, said: “It was a fantastic result, all we had to do was get the three points and scoring in the last minute is the best time to score because your opponents can’t come back at you.
”It was a difficult game and we had to dig in. The weather upset our usual passing game but we have shown we can the other side and grind out results and that will stand us in good stead. “
The home side set about the game looking to stamp their authority on their borough opponents and looked the more potent early on.
John Martin, who replaced the injured Mitchell Cole at left midfield, and Dean Brennan , both tested Billy McMahon with free kicks, while Leroy Griffiths was looking as threatening as ever up-front.
Thurrock, without the suspended Tresor Kandol and Adam Parker were finding it hard to retain possession and their frustration was summed up by Lee Hodges who was booked for a nasty lunge on Stuart Thurgood.
So it was no surprise when Grays took the lead mid-way through the first period. A deft flick from Tony Battersby released Griffiths whose bullish run got him in behind the Thurrock back line and his lay-off found Dennis Oli, who gleefully lashed home the ball into the back of the net.
The blustery conditions overhead were proving a real problem for the away side, who found themselves pinned in their own half for long periods and hanging on.
Brennan had a decent left foot drive beaten away by McMahon, Steve West struck a free-kick wide and Oli came within inches of converting a Martin cross all before Thurrock started to gain a foothold in the game.
David Lee, who had played against Thurrock in their FA Cup clash with Oldham, was the man given the task of filling in for top score Kandol and it was his shot, after being released by Steve Heffer that helped sow the seeds of recovery.
Visibly boosted by that chance Thurrock picked up their game with Lee & Glenn Poole in particular coming into the game.
Cliff Akurang and Poole both had efforts of goal during a good spell of pressure for the away side but never the less it was Grays who were still looking the more threatening.
Indeed, Brennan should have doubled their advantage just before the break when, from an Oli cross, he fired straight into a relieved McMahon.
If Grays shaded the first half the second period was Thurrock’s as Heffer & Ryan Kirby started to dominate midfield allowing the exciting trio of Poole, Lee & Akurang the chance to influence the game.
And it was Poole who came up trumps for Colin McBride, levelling the scores with a glorious free-kick swung around the wall and into the bottom corner after Akurang had been felled by West.
Poole has now scored five goals since his transfer from Redbridge leaving McBride purring. “He has brought everything I thought he would to the team and more” said the Thurrock boss.
Stung by the goal, Grays came close to instantly going ahead once again as, like a pendulum, the game swung from one end to the other. The energetic Brennan latched onto a long ball over the top but couldn’t force the ball past McMahon, who made another terrific stop.
At the opposite end Hodges fired over before Akurang had Thurrock’s best chance to take the lead when he slipper West and partner Jamie Stuart to manoeuvre a one-on-one with Emberson, but could only manage a weak shot into the arms of the big keeper.
As the rain swirled around the ground, the two sides traded blow for blow, each going all out for the win with Thurrock finishing the stronger.
Richard Goddard so nearly headed in a Lee free-kick and then Poole shuddered the bar with an extraordinary 35 yard shot. With stunned defenders looking on, Lee reacted first to the rebound but couldn’t get enough pace or direction on his header to beat Emberson in what turned out to be Thurrock’s last golden chance.
The game swung to the other end and in the first minute of stoppage time Grays loaded a free-kick into the box. In a packed penalty area, West challenged McMahon whop could only punch the ball half-clear where upon it was turned back in by John Nutter.
Thurrock tried to push up play the offside trap but there was Hooper at the far post to bring the ball down and guide it past a despairing McMahon – a finish way beyond his tender years.
Incensed Thurrock players appealed in vain to the referee and his assistant about the offside, but the goal stood and Grays held on for victory, maintaining their ten point advantage at the top of the table.
It was a cruel, cruel blow for Thurrock and boss, Colin McBride, was left with a bitter taste in his mouth about the nature of the winning goal.
He said: “We are bitterly disappointed, two players were quite clearly offside and the players tell me that the referee’s assistant has done a Mike Riley and raised his flag to give it and then put it down again.
”We played some really good football and if Poole’s effort had gone in, or the follow up, the who knows, but that’s football. We’ve been unfairly tagged a long ball side by some people but I think we’ve proved today that we can play a bit”.
But Blues boss Stimson was upset that the controversy surrounding the goal has overshadowed his 16-year-old’s composed finish.
He said: “the technique from Hooper was great. For a 16-year-old to chest the ball down, turn and score is fantastic and I don’t think he has been given the credit he deserves. If that goal had been in the Premiership people would have been talking about it for weeks.”
Report by Ryan Goad
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the report.
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