United go into the hat for the First Round proper of the FA Cup after a fairly straightforward win over Thurrock. Second half goals from Mark Creighton and an own goal from Lee Flynn put United through despite a brave effort from their visitors.

Rain all morning had left the pitch slick and zippy and credit to Thurrock for playing football that was easy on the eye. No question of sitting back and defending away at higher league opposition, the Blue Square South side were determined to give it a go and always willing to commit men forward.

Indeed, in the first fifteen minutes they earned three corners and impressed, although in that time Jamie Cook had already tested their keeper Joe Wooley with a low shot and the effervescent Adam Murray had stabbed a left footed effort against the base of the left hand post .

Jack Midson almost reached a superb swinging cross from Cook on the half hour but the first half was also littered with misplaced passes as United struggled to find their usual rhythm.

To try and find the solution Sam Deering was given his first appearance of the season for the second half, and within eight minutes it had taken effect. Really the goal should have come on 52 as Jamie Cook wriggled his way right through but rolled his shot aganst the left had post, but sixty seconds later the breakthrough came courtesy of Creighton's left boot. A corner was cleared twice, but only as far as Adam Murray on the edge of the box. He controlled the ball and crossed for Creighton who crashed the ball home, giving Woolley no chance at all.

Thurrock began to fade after conceding and Foster powered a header close on 64 before Midson chipped another effort just over the bar on 66. Deering, who had injected his usual exuberance then almost capped his afternoon with a goal but was denied by the post as his header beat Woolley.

Deering might have atoned on 73 as he got in on the keeper once more but still couldn't tuck the ball away, and gradually the number of chances was mounting up. Thurrock  still had hope as long as it was still 1-0 but were visibly tiring and on 78 it was game over as Deering again helped United find the net. His forceful run got him into the danger area once more and as he flashed a low cross from the right hand side of the box the ball ricocheted off of Smon Clist and on to Flynn to roll over the line and make it 2-0. A bit harsh on Clist who deserves his first goal at home, but Flynn's touch definitely the last.

There was still time for Midson to have a goal chalked off for offside and for the raging Bulman to stumble at the vital moment as he roared through, then to clip a last minute effort the wrong side of the post as well, but never mind. Job done.

Not a vintage cup tie but United go through. Deering's display shows the strength in depth, a home win will always give confidence, and most importantly of course United's fans get to dream of what might still happen in this famous old competition.

Att:3,296

Away: 100

Report by Chris Williams

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