Blue Square South Six Pointer - Thurrock vs. Maidenhead

The main stand at Ship Lane in the sunshine.

I've being meaning to visit Ship Lane for a long time and the perfect opportunity arose when they hosted Maidenhead in the Blue Square South. At the start of the game Maidenhead were in the last relegation place just two points behind the hosts. Thurrock's last three games of the season are against teams in the top five of the league and so this game is a must win. The visitors had an amazing 4-3 victory on the Monday and were full of confidence before kick off.

Kick off from the main stand.

Maidenhead's confidence is justified when in the forth minute, the Maidenhead player is bundled over in he box. Despite getting a good hand on to the resulting penalty, the keeper can't keep his side level. Thurrock dominate from this point onwards and have plenty of chances to equalise. They do this when following a scramble in the six yard box, the Thurrock player is able to smash the ball home. The visiting keeper then makes two class saves to keep his side in the game. Firstly he some how keeps out a close range header and he then makes a flying save when the Thurrock player is clean through. There are no more goals and the teams are level at half time.

The opening goal.

Thurrock pick off where they left off at the end of the first half. Following another goal mouth scramble they have three chances in a few seconds but the closest they come is hitting the crossbar. The home side appear to become more frustrated and start shooting from range. The visitors try to catch Thurrock on the break, but lack the final ball. Thurrock have another chance but the player misses a back post header from close range. Then Maidenhead manage to get it right on the break and the Maidenhead player curls the ball past the home keeper. Thurrock push on in injury time and feel they should have a penalty for hand ball in the final minute but it wasn't given and they slip in to the relegation zone.

Maidenhead on the attack in the second half.

When I travelled to the ground, I went to Chafford Hundred station and when I left I went to Rainham station. Both journeys were made on the 370 bus. I'd recommend the first option as it is slightly quicker. Make sure you don't miss the hotel stop as I did as the next stop is a little walk away! Trains depart from Fenchurch Street and take just over half an hour. There were no pubs near either station but the clubhouse is decent although it didn't appear to have sky but is still worth visiting beforehand.

Maidenhead push for the winner.