Ryman Premier
East Thurrock United 4 v 1 Lewes
AN eventful Ryman Premier clash at Rookery Hill saw three players taken by ambulance to hospital, another sent off and Rocks goalscoring legend Sam Higgins continue his remarkable scoring run reports The Thurrock Enquirer.
East Thurrock had a chance to score in the first 30 seconds, when Higgins, starting just his 16th match of the season, hit a speculative effort from 35 yards. Visiting goalkeeper Chris Winterton saved the effort, but he was clearly affected by the heavy winds, as he was unable to hold the ball, spilling it out for a corner.
The Rock’s loanee striker, Ade Yusuff also had a good chance to give the hosts the lead, as he received the ball on the edge of the box, but he sliced his effort, sending the ball soaring out of the ground.
Lewes suffered a blow after five minutes when Alex Laing suffered a leg injury and had to be stretchered off.
Lewes responded soon after as they began to adapt to having the wind in their faces and on 20 minutes crafted a very good chance. The Rooks worked the ball down the right hand flank and sent a deep cross in, but striker Richard Pacquette was unable to get enough on his header, meaning that goalkeeper Lukas Lidakevicius was able to paw the ball away to safety.
Ashley Miller eventually opened the scoring for East Thurrock, with a header at close range. Daryl Robson’s cross made its way through to Kris Newby, who lifted the ball over the keeper, towards the back post for Miller to finish.
Soon after Lewes lost another player when Alex Malins was hit by the ball in the face. Clearly suffering from the blow the tried to carry on but was unable to and joined Laing in receiving treatment from a paramedic.
Lewes’ day went from bad to worse in the 56th minute as James Hammond was given a straight red for a tackle on Rickie Hayles, whose game was also finished due to injury as a result of the clash. He was just in time to board the ambulance taking the two Lewes players to Basildon Hospital!
Lewes battled back into the game on 60 minutes, levelling the game straight from the corner, as Henry Muggeridge utilised the wind to whip it in directly. Their celebrations were short lived though as Higgins reinstated East Thurrock’s lead four minutes later after breaking through the back line and taking the ball past the keeper to slot into an empty net. Praise has to be given to Yusuff for the well placed through ball to set up the goal.
East Thurrock then took control for the remainder of the game and extended their lead on 76 minutes from the penalty spot, courtesy of Higgins who scored his 19th of the season. Yusuff was again the provider, being brought down inside the box.
Yusuff, then made it 4-1 with an angry strike from the corner of the penalty spot, smashing the ball across the keeper into the side netting
