A goal ten minutes after half time from stand in skipper Richard Butler gave the Mead the three points against a Thurrock side who demonstrated why they went so close last season in the Play Offs.

The game was effectively decided in a three minute spell early in the Second Half.  At one end, Mead keeper Andy Walker made a magnificent save to deny Ross Hall’s 25 yard pile driver whilst almost immediately Richard Butler’s angled shot crept in at Rhys Madden’s near post.

Not even the late sending off of sub Bode Anidugbe could detract from another well earned three points for the Mead, and a very happy manager! Terry said, “We are absolutely delighted with our 2 wins although I don’t think we have played particularly well. That said 2 wins and 6 points is an ideal start to the season. Tonight against many peoples favourites for promotion this season, the lads once again showed courage and commitment against a very physical team. Our defence were simply fantastic and it was no surprise to me when one of them (Tommy Spillane) got the evenings M.O.M award.”

Indeed for long periods, it was back to the walls for the Mead as Thurrock probed and created the better chances. Daniel Francis shot over from a corner; Wall sent a free header from a corner wide before Joe Christou was unlucky to see a free kick come back off the underside of the bar and rebound off of a prone Walker and away to safety.

The home side didn’t create much in the opening half – Tyrus shot into the side netting and Spillane’s free kick was allowed to bounce through the box and flew just wide!

After the break came Walker’s incredible save before stand in Captain Marvel Butler cut inside to score what proved to be the winner as try as they might, Thurrock just couldn’t find a way through the Mead defense where Jack Barry and Farai Hallam were outstanding at its heart, as t the other end the home side even with ten men came closest to scoring when sub Baff Addae and Butler combined brilliantly only for Baff to drill the ball just too high!

The win took the Mead to the top of the overnight fledgling table with new boys Haringey Borough next up for Thamesmead at the weekend. However after Tuesday’s fixture’s of the ten winners on Saturday, only the Mead and AFC Sudbury now have 100 percent records!

The Mead – Andy Walker, Michael Aziaya, Tommy Spillane, Theo Fairweather-Johnson (Bode Aniduge HT), Jack Barry, Farai Hallam, Richard Butler, Lewis Dark, Tyrus Gordon-Young (Ainsley Everitt 78), Michael Uwezu (Baff Addae HT), Jay Porter

Subs – Marc Gorbell and Nathan Koranteng