Ryman Premier
East Thurrock United 2 v 0 Canvey Island
A SUPERB Sam Higgins volley gave East Thurrock three points with a 2-0 victory against promotion-chasing Canvey Island.
Canvey exploded into action in the third minute with a beautiful through ball that found Bradley Woods-Garness but his shot was weak.
Rocks sent over a free kick in the 7th minute but it was easily marshalled away by a disciplined Canvey defence.
Rocks opened up the scoring in simple style in the 12th minute when Sam Collins found himself in space just outside the area, he pushed it right to James Lawson who blasted the ball into the back of the net.
Lawson was causing more grief in the 17th minute as he powered the ball across the area, but Canvey hit it behind for a corner.
As the sun came out, the quality of football improved as both teams played lovely one touch football.
Woods-Garness broke through again but defender Tom Stephen produced a perfectly-timed interception. And again on the half-hour but his diagonal shot just went past the post.
Apart from the long ball to the attacker, Canvey lacked bite and invention.
The Rocks should have had a second. A goalmouth scramble followed a corner. It fell to Key Ruel who shot from close range hit the woodwork and out.
But the Islanders shots were starting to rain down on the Rocks goal and the half time whistle could not come soon enough.
The second half began evenly with both teams having their fair share of attacking opportunities.
But again, Canvey started to put the pressure on. On the hour, Kevin Dobinson’s looping header went just over. There was another chance a minute later which keeper Elliot Justham did well to smother.
It was starting to look like one of those days for Canvey as Harrison Chatting had a delicate little chip which again went wide.
Rocks were carving out chances but lacked a killer instinct in front of goal. And then came a peach of a goal inn the 73rd minute as James Lawson produced a beautiful cross and Sam Higgins volleyed the ball home.
Canvey tried to come back but it was not their day. Another goal-mouth scramble saw keeper Justham just about hold onto the ball as Canvey became increasingly desperate but it was not to be.
Rocks claimed the three points and go to Ship Lane on Monday for a derby against struggling Thurrock.
Att: 315
East Thurrock Utd:Justham E, Peddie S (c), Stephen T, Wood B, Sheehan S, Parmenter R, Lawson J, Ruel K, Higgins S, Bryant D, Collins S
Subs not used: Bonnett-Johnson S, L’Heureux M, Cook J, Keith J
Canvey Island: Jones A, Sands E, Dumas A, King R, Duncan L, Orlu R, Kavanagh T, Robinson K, Wood-Garness B, Chatting H, Curran J
Subs not used: Gilbey M, Mason D, Cocklyn G, Glanville T
i was there and my feet are still freezing.
I was there as well, ETU scored a great second goal. Little disappointed with Canvey considering they were in the play offs! Fingers crossed we can play these 2 teams next season!