LEWIS DRIVES SWANS AS THIRD PLACE BECKONS
STAINES remain firmly in the play-off picture after a strong display at Thurrock vaulted them into third place above a tight chasing pack.
Second-half goals from Lewis Driver and Ben Martin won the day after Thurrock were forced to introduce 16-year-old Toby Smith in place of concussed keeper Ben McNamara at half-time.
Smith was not faulted for either goal, as the ball appeared to be kicked out of his hands in a goalmouth melee prior to Martin netting on 73 minutes and the referee putting his whistle to his mouth but deciding to give the goal.
Thurrock boss Mark Stimson cut a frustrated post-match figure.
He told The NLP: “Staines are a very good side and they will be there or thereabouts for the playoffs. But the rest, you would have to have been here to believe.”
The first half was an even affair, with the Swans going close first with a shot that was well saved by McNamara.
After quarter of an hour, Thurrock had their first opening, Michael Pindy’s cross just evading Charlie Stimson, who was ready to pounce.
Staines were edging matters and on 23 minutes Mohamed Bettamer had a strike parried away by McNamara, who then held Elliot Buchanan’s shot.
The hosts had a great chance on the half-hour when Stimson’s brilliant flick fell to Lewwis Spence but the Thurrock skipper shot wide from 15 yards.
Two minutes later Curtis Ujah’s header drop just over the bar from Joe Christou’s free kick.
But as half time approached Wadah Ahmadi, Max Worsfold, Buchanan and Bettamer were all denied by McNamara.
Staines took the lead ten minutes into the second half when they broke the length of the pitch after a Thurrock free kick and Driver scored at the back post.
Thurrock nearly levelled midway through the half, but Spence’s shot went just over.
The victory was sealed with Martin’s goal. However, the hosts had a last chance on 82 minutes when Claudio Ribeiro-Gonclaves had an effort well saved by Martin Herdman
But so did the visitors as Smith tipped Sam Hatton's long range strike over.
For Swans boss Johnson Hippolyte, his afternoon’s ambitions were more than fulfilled.
“We wanted to win to keep ourselves around the top five or six,” he said.
“We knew it would be tough as Thurrock have been good lately, but we deserved the points.” STAR MAN: Tyrell Miller-Rodney (Staines Town) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★