Monday 31th March 2008

It's been something of a blank week for Staines Town, as another bout of wet weather took it's toll both at home and away.Only the Reserves were in action, securing 3 more Capital League points with a well contested 2-0 win at Chesham United.  Marvin Farrell and Daniel Meggie found the net in the first half, while former Junior player Mark Pisani made his Reserve debut in goal.

The Academy game at Leatherhead was off, as was the final trial game, scheduled for Wheatsheaf Park on Saturday.  The Staines ground remained unfit on the Sunday, putting paid to the Women's team's league encounter with Tower Hamlets.

Most damaging of all, however, was the postponement of the second Ryman League game in successive Saturdays - this time away to Boreham Wood.  Waterlogging meant that the pitch had to be inspected by Hatfield referee Dave Rock at 9:30, and this was inconclusive, so match referee David Belbin made the final decision at 12:40, by which time more rain was settling in to add to the already sodden condition of the middle of Meadow Park.  The game will now take place on Tuesday 22nd April.

Easter Monday 24th March 2008 (3:00pm) – Ryman League Premier Division

STAINES TOWN (1) 2 ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDLESEX) (0) 0

By Steve Parsons.

Staines have had a less than enviable record against their nearest neighbours in the last couple of seasons, and this derby had taken on great significance for both teams.  The home side were looking to consolidate a position in the play-off zone, while Ashford – under former Swan Mark Butler – also retain hopes of making the play-offs.  No fewer than five players were lining up against their old club: Richard Butler for Staines, and Paul Burgess, Darren Deegan, Russell Canderton, and Paul Johnson for Ashford.  Steve Cordery had to deal with the unavailability of his two new signings, Kersey was appearing for Maidenhead, and Wells was away; while Scarlett joined Flitter, Nugent and McDonald on the injury list.  However, there was a return from suspension for Adrian Toppin, and a first Ryman call-up (as unused sub) for 19-year old Academy product Nick White, who has impressed on the right side of midfield for the Reserves this term.  The pitch was in good condition, Staines attacking the houses end, against the wind, in the first half.  Ref Warren Atkin requested the lights on from the start, as it began a little overcast and drizzly.  However, apart from a short burst of hail in the first half, the afternoon got brighter and brighter over the next 2 hours, although remaining cold.

Staines were almost caught cold within the first 2 minutes, when a cleverly worked Ashford free-kick forced James Courtnage into a decent save from Scott Todd.  However, play quickly switched to the other end, where Gareth Risbridger was unlucky to have a tremendous headed goal chalked off as the referee had spotted some pushing.  But Staines kept the pressure on, and were rewarded with one that did count, scored after 7 minutes.  Nwokeji was sent sprawling as he flew down the touch line, Leigh Mason sent the ball over from the free kick, and Mark Nwokeji was on hand to firmly glance the header beyond Paul Burgess’s dive.  Gavin Smith might have levelled for Ashford just 5 minutes later, but he shot over from 15 yards with just Courtnage to beat, after a neat Todd / Deegan move.  Local derby matches are sometimes not played in the best of spirits, but this one was an exception, and Mr Atkin only needed to reach for his cards once, to caution Ashford’s Canderton for catching Richard Butler down the shins.  It was Butler who engineered Swans’ next move, escaping on the right and clipping the ball over and beyond Burgess, but the Ashford ‘keeper was able to turn and block Nwokeji’s effort as he arrived at the back post.  Howard Newton followed up, but his shot was deflected for a corner.  Ashford’s best chance of the game came on 29 minutes, when a Deegan cross was headed into the middle by Gavin Bamford, picking out Smith – six yards out and seemingly certain to score.  However, he momentarily lost concentration, and missed his shot.  On 38 minutes, Smith did have the ball in the net, getting on the end of a Vinnie O’Sullivan pass after the right back had won the ball in midfield, but this time it was Ashford’s turn to have a goal disallowed, this for offside. 

The second half unfortunately began with a spate of enforced substitutions.  Smith, who had begun the half wearing the 19 shirt (presumably because of a blood injury) lasted only 4 minutes and was replaced by Byron Harrison.  Four minutes later, Butler – who had tried to run off his shin injury – had to be replaced by Marc Charles-Smith, while Ashford’s Jon Palmer had to replace the impressive Joseph, who had pulled up sharply with a hamstring problem.  Staines became stronger as the second half progressed, and now had the breeze behind them, too.  Howard Newton received a pinpoint Lewis Cook free kick, and forced Burgess into a good save.  Nwokeji battled through two stiff challenges, but was finally boxed-in as he prepared to shoot, and H Newton was again denied by a decent save, Burgess also doing enough with his parry to keep the rebound away from Cook.  Ashford seemed to have weathered the storm, and began to exert a little pressure of their own, but their best effort was superbly broken up by Danny Gordon, who then carried the ball upfield and created a chance for Charles-Smith.  He weaved past two defenders, and unleashed a good save which forced Burgess to dive and push the ball round for a corner.  Ashford repeated their early free kick move, but this time Staines won back possession, and broke upfield through Risbridger, briefly having five against two, but Cook’s drive was saved by the legs of Burgess.  Ashford then had three more decent chances in quick succession, as they went in search of the equaliser.  Adam Logie put a snap-shot too close to Courtnage following a good cross by Todd. Then Harrison received in a good position, but blasted wide of target.  Finally, Staines were guilty of not clearing their lines, and Gavin Bamford’s super drive from the edge of the box was kept out by Courtnage’s best save of the afternoon.  Thomas replaced Cook for the home side, and with just 7 minutes left, they made the game save with a second goal.  Nwokeji advanced down the middle and then showed great skill with a clever lay-off to Marc Charles-Smith, who still had to get past his marker before drilling a low shot just inside Burgess’s right-hand post.  The same player almost snatched a third in stoppage time, but his header went just too high, following a good pass by Jake Newton.  Staines reclaimed the 4th spot they had lost a couple of hours earlier, and Lee Turner (of sponsors Murphy, Withey & Co) selected Mark Nwokeji as the Man of the Match for the afternoon.

Staines: Courtnage, J Newton, Sargent, Gordon ©, Risbridger, Mason, Cook (Thomas 80), Toppin, Butler (Charles-Smith 53), Nwokeji, H Newton; unused Maskell, White, McDonald.

Ashford: Burgess, O’Sullivan, Deegan, Canderton, Wellard, Logie, Johnson (Goggin 85), G Bamford, Smith (Harrison 49), Todd, Joseph (Palmer 53); unused Ross (gk), Weight.

Ref: W Atkin (W Sussex); ARs D Moran (Hants), W Ingram (Surrey); att 504.

Tuesday 18th March 2008 (7:45pm) – Ryman League Premier Division

STAINES TOWN (1) 4 HORSHAM (0) 0

By Steve Parsons.

This eagerly awaited encounter between the Ryman League’s two FA Cup sensations did not disappoint, as the home side served up a rousing performance to warm all their supporters on a very chilly night.  Neither of the two players injured on Saturday (Flitter and Nugent) were fit to play, so Gordon was given the captain’s armband, and Lee Kersey – an experienced 28 year-old defender from Maidenhead United – was introduced in the middle.  Horsham included two ex-Swans: Paul Seuke and Jacob Mingle.  This had become a crucial battle in the run-in for the play-offs, and for Staines to achieve such a resounding victory really seems to have got their season back on track following a worrying wobble.  They attacked the houses end in the first half.

Courtnage stretched to make a good save in the opening seconds, but Staines soon started turning on the style to an extent not seen since the cup run.  Seuke made excellent saves from Nwokeji and Butler, and Staines carved out a sequence of chances while containing Horsham with apparent ease.  There was a worrying collision as early as the 9th minute, but after treatment both Butler and Seuke were back on their feet.  A flare up between Risbridger and Charman saw them both yellow-carded, as the visitors steadied for a while, and found opportunities to play some neat passing football of their own.  However, it was not long before Staines took command once more, Jake Newton’s cross just slipping out of reach of the centrally-placed Nwokeji, and decent appeals for a penalty waved away when Nwokeji collected a Scarlett pass and was bumped over in the box.  Sargent found the space to roam upfield, and his pinpoint pass to Jake Newton led to a shot which was just too close to Seuke.  But the goal that Staines had long threatened finally arrived in the 39th minute, Mark Nwokeji sweeping home Howard Newton’s whipped centre.  Lee Carney might have equalised 2 minutes later, bursting through on goal, but Courtnage stood up to him and beat his shot away.  Right on time, H Newton played a great diagonal ball into the box which Seuke blocked, and the ‘keeper just did enough as Butler closed in on the rebound. 

The second half was almost non-stop Staines pressure.  Matt Wells drive off target following a flowing move in the opening 4 minutes, before goal number 2 arrived in the 52nd.  Howard Newton skinned the left back and whipped a cross to the far post, where it was met by a powerful header from André Scarlett, rounding off a great move.  In a rare Hornets attack, Lee Farrell made a neat turn in the box but then shot wide, whilst at the other end H Newton sent one just over.  Seuke spread himself well to keep out another Butler effort on the turn, and the Staines striker distinguished himself by also chasing back to aid the defence when necessary.  Horsham had a long throw specialist, and one of these was beaten out as far as Matthew Geard, but he skied the chance.  The referee showed as much patience as he could towards Horsham’s deaf player Lee Farrell, but eventually had to book him for prolonging his dissent.  They also had Andrew Howard booked for the same reason.  Staines brought on Cook, Charles-Smith and – for the first time in 2008 – Thomas – and it was great work on the right by Marc Charles-Smith that led to the third goal on 85 minutes, sending in a low cross which Seuke could not hold, and there was Richard Butler to stroke in the rebound.  With just a minute to go, Howard Newton roared into the box only to be tripped by Tom Graves: the defender received a yellow card, and Antony Coggins awarded the penalty which was expertly converted by Dave Sargent.  This tremendous result – by a 4-goal margin over one of the most attractive sides in the league – elevates Staines to 3rd place in the table.

Staines: Courtnage, J Newton, Sargent, Gordon ©, Kersey, Scarlett (Cook 65), Wells (Thomas 82), Risbridger, Butler, Nwokeji (Charles-Smith 76), H Newton; unused Mason, McDonald.

Horsham: Seuke, Graves, Brake (Geard HT), French ©, Howard, Carney, Taylor, Cox (Salaam 59), Farrell (Davis 74), Mingle, Charman; unused Bolger, Hemsley.

Ref: A Coggins (Bicester); ARs L Walshe & I Jempeji (both Middx); att 279.

Saturday 15th March 2008 (3pm) – Ryman League Premier Division

STAINES TOWN (2) 5  LEYTON (0) 1

by Steve Parsons.

After the defeat away to the league leaders last week, Staines rallied by comfortably seeing off basement side Leyton at Wheatsheaf Park on Saturday.  Steve Cordery introduced his latest signing, 19-year old Matt Wells quickly growing into the central midfield role following his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur Reserves.  The other changes from last week saw the returns of Jake Newton (for the first time in 3 months) and Gareth Risbridger, with Marcel Nugent, Lewis Cook, and Leigh Mason all dropping to the bench.  There was a last minute scare for Swans when referee Stephen Phipps advised that Mark Nwokeji could not play in the lightweight cast on his hand which had been approved by last week’s referee, but the problem was solved by cutting the cast off.  Toppin was still suspended, Duku is a week away following a groin injury in the Reserves in midweek, and Clarke was released that very morning.  The afternoon was overcast, and the sporadic showers became continual throughout the second half.  The playing surface, expertly maintained by Graham Gould (who has again been nominated for the FA’s Groundsman of the Year award) was in good condition, although there was some scuffing in the goalmouth.

Nwokeji broke away on the right and shot across the face of goal after just 3 minutes, but Staines then had to weather – if not a storm – at least a squall of Leyton pressure, in which they twice went close in the space of 10 minutes.  Firstly, Daniel Lodge did well on the right but his close range shot was blocked on the line, and then Des Thomas sent a quickly taken free kick inches wide.  But from then until the dying seconds, Staines completely dominated the game, and would certainly have scored lots ore goals but for the heroics of Sam Tanner in the Londoners’ goal.  He began by diverting a great Nwokeji strike round for a corner, but the opener followed very soon afterwards, when Howard Newton’s ball to Richard Butler was taken in his stride and despatched clinically into the bottom corner on 16 minutes.  Des Thomas committed a foul from which Scarlett set up Butler for a header which flew just wide.  On 25 minutes, Matt Flitter sustained a painful ankle injury, which in the short term gave Lodge the space to loop a shot just wide, and a few minutes later saw the Swans skipper limp off to be replaced by Nugent, with Danny Gordon taking over the captaincy, and Jake Newton moving into the centre of defence, where he continued to impress.  Meanwhile, a Howard Newton shot was palmed round for a corner, and this was played to Nwokeji, whose teasing cross-shot required another clawing save under the bar by Tanner.  At one stage late in the half, Staines were down to 9 men on the field, when Nugent and Leyton’s Andrew Thomas collided and both required treatment, but then Tash King was diverted to attend to Gordon who went down injured.  But once the sides were back to full strength, Staines pushed forward and added a second goal in the 6th added minute, when a long pass reached Howard Newton, who darted forward and steered his shot into the bottom corner. 

Leyton’s players, whose relegation was confirmed a week earlier, spent nearly all of half time out on the pitch, and their manager made two changes during the interval.  However, Staines were even more in the ascendancy after the break, despite losing Nugent with a knee injury very early on.  His replacement, Mason, quickly won a corner from which H Newton headed against the post, but Staines added a third goal on 54 mins, when H Newton’s accurate pass to Nwokeji was met with a perfect low finish beyond Tanner.  Seven minutes later, Butler netted his second, volleying home a Nwokeji chip over the ‘keeper, following a good move involving Risbridger and H Newton.  Tanner then made two more excellent saves from Nwokeji in as many minutes, firstly diving bravely at his feet, and then flying across his goal to parry a swerving drive.  Tanner again came out to save at Nwokeji’s feet, this after great distribution from midfield by Wells.  The fifth goal came on 73 minutes, and began with a decisive punch out from Swans keeper James Courtnage.  The ball was worked upfield via Nwokeji and a pinpoint pass from Dave Sargent, leaving Butler to advance on the ‘keeper and slide the ball past him to complete a memorable hat-trick.  He was withdrawn to warm applause moments later, to be replaced by Marc Charles-Smith, who was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself.  The last 14 minutes were clouded by a string of bookings for the visitors, who had pushed Mr Phipps’ patience to the limit.  Des Thomas (who was dismissed in the earlier meeting), subs Imbert and Dallender, and finally Lodge being the names taken, all for fouls, with H Newton and Scarlett coming off worst.  Still Tanner was called upon to save his side, claiming a ball off Mason’s toes following an H Newton pass, and later making a double save from two Charles-Smith headers, following a Nwokeji cross.  In between, Charles-Smith also had a goal ruled out for a narrow offside decision.  Unfortunately, Swans failed to secure only their third clean-sheet since the turn of the year, when Andrew Thomas battled through and planted a firm shot just inside the post to make the final score 5-1, a result which takes Staines back up to 4th.  The supporters’ Man of the Match award went to Mark Nwokeji – and odd reversal as it was Butler who won it 5 weeks ago when Butler scored a hat-trick.

Staines: Courtnage, J Newton, Sargent, Gordon, Flitter © (Nugent 31, Mason 48), Scarlett, Wells, Risbridger, Butler (Charles-Smith 74), Nwokeji, H Newton; unused Cook, Dean Thomas.

Leyton: Tanner, McCoy, Ramos Gonzales, Gracey, Sonuga, Des Thomas ©, Lee (Imbert 70), A Thomas, Lodge, Renner (Dallender HT), Edwards (Bricknell HT); unused Luke, Bates.

Ref: S Phipps (Abingdon); ARs M Walton (Hook), J Balcombe (Basingstoke); att 198.

There was disappointment for the Reserve and Youth sides in their matches on Wednesday night.  The Reserve team, chasing the Capital League title, let a 3-1 lead slip to draw 3-3 with Croydon Athletic at Wheatsheaf Park.  Dean Thomas had given them an early lead, and there were further goals from trialists Redouane Rettab and Seydou Keyta, but - with Dwain Clarke (head) and Francis Duku (groin) picking up injuries which left Staines with a man short (having used all three subs), the visitors were able to snatch a point.

The Academy side suffered a shock 4-1 defeat at Southern Youth League strugglers Molesey in the Isthmian Youth Cup 2nd Round.  Owen Bent and Manny Hughes had scored two breakaway goals for the home side in a first half dominated by Staines, before Ryan Jackson pulled one back, amid hopes that this would set Staines on the way to recovery.  However, Molesey raised their game, going on to win with goals from Danny Roberts and another from Bent.  Molesey will now meet Leatherhead in the Quarter-Finals.

Saturday 8th March 2008 (3pm) – Ryman League Premier Division

CHELMSFORD CITY (2) 3  STAINES TOWN (0) 0

By Steve Parsons

Staines slumped to a non unexpected defeat at the home of runaway leaders Chelmsford in dreadful conditions on Saturday, but will be disappointed at their inability to make more of a game of it.  Steve Cordery made just one change, with Leigh Mason coming in for Gareth Risbridger in midfield, after match referee Wade Norcott gave his permission for Mark Nwokeji to play with padding on the light cast protecting his hand injury.  Guyana international Jake Newton was among the subs for the first time in 3 months.  Midfielders Adrian Toppin (Staines) and Ricky Holmes (Chelmsford) were both absent through suspension, and the home side included former Swan Kezie Ibe on their bench, along with Joel Kitamirike, who once played a UEFA Cup tie for Chelsea.  The biggest crowd of the day saw a game which was always going to be about coping with the conditions, a very strong wind blowing straight down the pitch towards the entrance end.  Staines achieved their wish by defending that end in the first half.

Despite Mr Cordery’s reminders to his side, they were again guilty of conceding an early goal when Chris Duffy fired a long shot which picked up pace in the wind, James Courtnage could only parry it, and Bertie Brayley reacted quickest to shoot home from close range.  Duffy and Nwokeji were cautioned for early fouls, but Staines found themselves penned back almost for the entire first half hour.  Jon Keeling and Ollie Berquez peppered shots on Courtnage’s goal, and Danny Gordon had to make a great tackle when Keeling was well placed.  On one occasion, a clearance by the Staines ‘keeper actually came back at him on the wind, falling into the path of Brayley, whose shot was kept out by a brave save from Courtnage.  Meanwhile, Keeling sustained an injury that necessitated him leaving the field a couple of times, and with 9 minutes to go before half time, Ibe was brought on to replace him.  Only in the latter stages of the half did Staines create any chances, beginning with a ball into the box from Richard Butler which brought optimistic shouts for a handball.  For all their dominance, Chelmsford went half an hour without winning a corner, but when they did on 39 minutes, they scored a second goal that was as important in the context of the game as it was simple.  Ibe won it, Stuart Ainslie delivered it with perfect strength into the 6 yard box, swinging in on the gale, and Dean Palmer found space to head home unopposed.  As the half drew to a close, Howard Newton’s low driven effort from the right was gathered at the second attempt by ‘keeper Danny Gay, and in a late flurry, Nwokeji had a shot blocked with Butler getting on the end of the rebound, only for his effort to be saved on the line.  In between, Staines almost conceded a sucker goal, winning a rare free kick in opposition territory, they took it short and straight to City’s James Lawson, whose advance and shot were thwarted by Courtnage, with Berquez missing the rebound.

The wind was so strong that a two goal deficit did not seem insurmountable at the interval, but in truth the visitors turned in a disjointed performance, whilst Chelmsford coped expertly.  They also successfully broke up the play, with first Lawson cautioned for a foul, before Mason was victim of two potential red-card offences – an elbow from Berquez (which drew a yellow), and a push in the face from Duffy which went unpunished.  Staines would also pick up two late cautions – Scarlett was withdrawn very soon after being punished for dissent, but his replacement, Risbridger, walked a tightrope with one yellow card for a foul on England, and another stern talking-to.  Furthermore, there was some unsporting ‘sharp practice’ by the home side’s ball-boys and their controllers on the running-track surrounding the pitch, ensuring that the multi-ball system that had kept the game flowing so swiftly when it suited them in the first half, was used only selectively in the second, whilst attempts by Matt Flitter and Trent Phillips to speed things up were rebuffed.  Nwokeji had Staines two best chances of making a game of it, but his first effort failed to connect, and the second – neatly steered through a cluster of defenders – was eaten up by Gay.  Courtnage meanwhile had to come off his line to pounce on another Ibe raid.  As the 90th minute ticked by, Chelmsford found themselves having to replace Jamie England (himself a substitute) by Mario Noto, due to injury.  However, it did not upset their flow, as they added a deserved third goal in the second added minute, winning possession cheaply, Ibe darting forward once more and squeezing the ball through to Stuart Ainsley, who placed his shot into the bottom corner.  With Staines’ dip in results now extending to a couple of months, they find themselves down in 6th spot – their lowest placing since early December – but still with the games in hand to get themselves back up into the play-off zone.

Staines: Courtnage, Nugent, Sargent, Gordon, Flitter ©, Scarlett (Risbridger 77), Cook (Charles-Smith 68), Mason, Butler, Nwokeji, H Newton; unused McDonald, J Newton, Duku.

Chelmsford: Gay, Clark, Duffy, Duncan ©, Ward (England 61, Noto 90), Palmer, Berquez, Ainsley, Lawson, Brayley, Keeling (Ibe 36); unused Kitamirike, Harrison.

Ref: W Norcott; ARs J Pickford, R Wooding (all Essex); att 1146.

Saturday 1st March 2008 (3pm) – Ryman League Premier Division

STAINES TOWN (0) 1   EAST THURROCK UNITED (1) 1

By Steve Parsons.

In a match which had some similarities to last week – the visitors scoring early, and Staines only getting back at them in the final quarter – “The Swans” were even more disappointed to drop two points, given that “The Rocks” were fighting for their Premier Division survival.  With the cancellation of Guyana’s friendly with Trinidad & Tobago, Steve Cordery was able to welcome his new international, Howard Newton, back a week earlier than expected, while Danny Gordon’s suspension was over.  Apart from Sean Allaway, who needs a scan on his troublesome knee injury, Gareth Workman’s treatment table was virtually unoccupied, meaning that André Scarlett, Gareth Risbridger, and Mark Nwokeji all made their returns to the starting line-up.  Leigh Mason, Marc Charles-Smith, Adrian Toppin, Kerem Bashkal, and Francis Duku were the five who lost their places.  The pitch was in good condition, the weather bright and sunny, but with a chill cross-wind, and Swans attacked the houses end in the first half.

James Courtnage was called upon to make a flying save in the opening seconds, touching a well struck Max Cornhill free kick over the bar.  Staines responded with a neat move involving H Newton and Richard Butler leading to a run of four Lewis Cook corners, but East Thurrock survived and when Craig Barrett broke away upfield, Courtnage was forced into another good save.  However, there was nothing he could do about the opening goal, a snappy Max Cornhill header from an Ashley Dumas corner giving the visitors an 11th minute lead.  Staines suffered a further setback just seconds later, when Marcel Nugent stopped short with a pulled muscle, and had to be replaced by Jon McDonald.  The sides largely cancelled one another out for the rest of the half, East Thurrock proving very difficult to break down.  A rare Swans chance on 22 minutes saw Shane Gore make a good save from Mark Nwokeji, after Richard Butler had done superbly well to hold the ball up.  Dave Sargent was rather crudely scythed down by Steve Pashley when he made a good run on Staines left wing, and although he escaped a booking, his team-mate Ashley Dumas was not so lucky when he halted McDonald on the right flank soon afterwards.  The Rocks might have doubled their lead on 43 minutes, but Ricky White’s shot looped just over.  However, Staines nearly went in on level terms, when McDonald floated the ball into the area, and it found its way to Cook, but his crisp volley was well saved by Gore.

A promising start to the second half for Staines – Butler’s pass and Nwokeji’s shot drawing a brave, low save from Gore, was quickly dissipated in a lengthy period of frustration.  East Thurrock had Rio Alderton booked for time-wasting as early as the 54th minute, and the ‘keeper was fortunate not to follow him, but in truth at this stage it seemed that Staines could have played all weekend without scoring.  Indeed, there were two more good chances at the other end, a neat turn by Ben Wood was quickly closed down, and then Craig (Braham-)Barrett crossed and Steve West rose for a powerful header, to which Courtnage was equal.  Cook limped off soon afterwards, to be replaced by Charles-Smith, and there was a third and final booking for Steve Harrison, also for delaying tactics.  The Essex side had a ‘secret weapon’ in Pashley’s long throws, and one of these arrowed all the way to Braham-Barrett at the far post, only for Courtnage to save.  Suddenly, with 16 minutes remaining, Staines turned the tables and dominated the closing period of the game.  A deep cross by Butler found Nwokeji who had got beyond the defence, but the usually deadly marksman somehow lifted the ball over the bar from a couple of yards out.  But just 30 seconds later, Mark Nwokeji raced onto a long pass, and this time showed great composure in guiding his shot beyond Gore and into the corner of the net.  There were just 15 minutes remaining, but in that time Staines created enough chances to have won comfortably.  Sargent hit a low free kick from the edge of the ‘D’, but Gore saved well.  Scarlett’s incisive pass to H Newton was met by a shot which skidded across the goalmouth, and, right on 90 minutes, Mason received a lofted pass with a clear path to goal, but play had to be halted as a visiting player had unfortunately sustained a head injury.  Undoubtedly the right decision by the ref, but he spoiled it by dropping the ball in the centre circle (where the injury occurred) and not 18 yards out (where the ball had been).  Deep into stoppage time, there was yet another chance, when Gary Ansell conceded possession to Charles-Smith, who powered forward and then released H Newton, who in tirn put Butler in space, only for Cornhill to bravely divert his effort round the post.  Swans’ Man of the Match was awarded by Gary Cambridge, of sponsors Cambridge Roofing, to Howard Newton, while the NLP Award went to young Cornhill who shone for the visitors.  The tenacious visitors were worth their point, and Staines slipped a place to 4th in the table.

Staines: Courtnage, Nugent (McDonald 12), Sargent, Gordon, Flitter ©, Scarlett, Cook (Charles-Smith 60), Risbridger (Mason 66), Butler, Nwokeji, H Newton; unused Bashkal, Toppin.

E Thurrock: Gore, Pashley, Dumas, Alderton, Ohakam, Wood, White (Newby 66), Harrison, West ©, Cornhill, Braham-Barrett (Boyce 82); unused Ansell, Hughes, Georgiou .

Ref: I Rathbone (Northants); ARs R Hey & P O’Hare (both Bucks); att 289.