In last season Play Off win, Thamesmead keeper Rob Budd was the hero in the penalty shoot triumph at Maldon, but Budd himself will admit that this season by his own high standards, he’s been some way off those heroics.
That was though until East Thurrock United visited Sporting Club Thamesmead for the first time, and left beaten courtesy of Tyrus Gordon-Young’s tap in on the hour, and a Budd Supershow. Gordon-Young deserved the goal for a hard working 90 minutes alongside new strike partner Javlon Campbell, but the Mead stopper took the plaudits for a truly stunning display with a series of magnificent saves that repaid manager Keith McMahon’s faith in him.
That was though until East Thurrock United visited Sporting Club Thamesmead for the first time, and left beaten courtesy of Tyrus Gordon-Young’s tap in on the hour, and a Budd Supershow. Gordon-Young deserved the goal for a hard working 90 minutes alongside new strike partner Javlon Campbell, but the Mead stopper took the plaudits for a truly stunning display with a series of magnificent saves that repaid manager Keith McMahon’s faith in him.
For McMahon himself, the grin on his face whilst holding his post match drink simply said it all and wrote a thousand words as his side won their first home League game of the season…
An intriguing game held the crowd enthralled for the 90 minutes – it was just a shame that there weren’t more there to enjoy it! But those who were saw Budd make an incredible block after only five minutes. After a great run from full back Ryan Sammons, the ball fell to Leon McKenzie who was almost turning to salute the goal from six yards as the Thamesmead keeper somehow made the ground across his goal to palm the strikers shot behind – it left McKenzie holding his head in disbelief!
Yet incredibly, Thamesmead had an even better chance sixty seconds later as a long ball forward caused absolute chaos down the left and as United keeper Sam Mott and Sammons got in a terrible mess and Javlon Campbell looked as though he was going to benefit, but after surviving the challenge on the edge of the box, Campbell couldn’t keep his feet and shot wide with the goal almost at his mercy.
After a period of midfield battles all over the pitch – the one between Karl Beckford and United’s former Gillingham man Stuart Thurgood undoubtedly the pick – it was the visitors who next threatened as David Bryant raced clear only for Budd to come hurtling out of goal the hack clear a good ten yards outside of this box. The Thamesmead keeper then excelled in the more conventional way with a full length finger save to deny Sammons low drive with the finger tips of his left hand!
The second half began as evenly as the first half had been – first Thurgood’s ball into the box saw McKenzie flick out a boot as the ball went just over the Thamesmead bar whilst at the other end, Mott made a fine block with his legs to deny Olalekan Bankole at the back post following Beckford’s free kick.
The games only goal arrived just before the hour. Beckford’s corner saw Gordon-Young beat Mott to the ball, and whilst the keeper was appealing for a foul, it was the Gordon Young who reacted quickest as the ball bounced off of the crossbar to side foot home from a yard out. Incredibly it was the first League game at Sporting Club Thamesmead that had seen the home side go in front! And it was a lead that they were not to lose thanks to a combination of inspired goal keeping and sensational defending in particular from skipper Lewis Tozer and his central defensive partner Donovan.
As the home side were pushed further and further back, East Thurrock threw more and more forward and Bryant went close again when again he sprinted clear. This time he was to be denied by a combination of full back Jay Porter and the inspired Budd, and just to prove that it wasn’t going to be the Essex clubs day, Budd arguably saved his best until last. A shot was blocked on the edge of the box, but the rebound fell to substitute Mitchell Gilby who’s flicked header seemed destined for the net before the Thamesmead stopper arched his back to show fantastic reactions to tip the ball over.
It really was a Budd super show, and as a result of these three points, McMahon’s side are now within touching distance of those immediately above them, and could well be what Thamesmead need to finally kick start their Ryman Premier season.
THAMESMEAD – Budd, Hopkins, Porter, Bankole, Tozer, Donovan, Roberts, Beckford (Butler 89), Gordon-Young, Campbell (Douglas 85), Phillips
Subs not used – Scarborough, Stevens, Fairweather-Johnson
EAST THURROCK – Mott, Sammons, Stephen, Peddie, Sheehan, Glover (Gilby 64), Dawson (Smith 79), McKenzie, Bryant, Ruel (Parmenter 64)
Subs not used – Witherspoon, Hughes
TAGS: Thamesmead Town