Ryman Premier
East Thurrock United 3 v 0 Grays Athletic
EAST Thurrock brushed aside Grays Athletic in the first fifteen minutes to secure three more points in their promotion bid.
East Thurrock put pressure on Grays Ath from the kick-off and it was clear that the Blues were giving them far too much space.
Tom Wraight and Sam Higgins had free headers in the first five minutes.
In blustery conditions, it was difficult for both teams to get a grip of the game.
However, Sam Higgins was able to open the scoring in the fifteenth minute with a neatly flicked on header in what was his 40th goal of the season.
Tom Wraight made it 2-0, again from close range in the 23rd minute. And a minute later, Sam Higgins made it 3-0.
It looked like it could be a cricket score as Grays group of strays and strangers looked completely out of their depth.
In a strange twist, "owner" of Grays Athletic, Andy Swallow stood prominently in the dug out area, assistant manager, Glen Little was nowhere to be seen and manager Mark Bentley cut a distant figure.
Grays’ first chance of the game came in the 35th minute when a free kick caused panic in the Rocks’s box and the ball was shanked away for a corner.
With the wind behind them, Rocks had to decide how much energy they would want to expend.
But to be fair to Grays, they looked more direct and confident in the second half as the players tried to assert themselves.
There were examples of good interplay and a confidence that was a credit to the makeshift outfit.
The Rock’s continued to plough away. They brought on all three subs but could not find a way through. Grays keeper Lamar Johnson deserves a lot of credit as he made a number of key saves.
Sadly, he was sent off in the 90th minute for a foul on the edge of the box.
The game ended with three points for East Thurrock and very little energy expended.
They remain in second place with four games to play. They return to action on Saturday, away against Wingate and Finchley.
East Thurrock Utd:
Lidakevicius L, Newby K, Knott S, Ellul J (Peddie S 45), Hayles R, Wood B, Scott B (Hogan C 77), Marlow B, Higgins S, Walker J, Wraight T (Ruel K 60),
Subs not used: Robson D, Craddock G
Grays Athletic: Johnson L, Richeford R, Gard F, Fuller J, Hutchins J, Symons N, Elipeta C, Solos S ( Lami G 30), Osei J, Moses B, Managu C.
Subs not used:, Poki C, Henry L, Popham M, Swallow D
Ref: Mr M.Packman
Att: 310
East Thurrock Utd:
Lidakevicius L, Newby K, Knott S, Ellul J, Hayles R, Wood B, Scott B, Marlow B, Higgins S, Walker J, Wraight T
Subs not used: Robson D, Peddie S, Hogan C, Ruel K, Craddock G
Grays Athletic: Johnson L, Richeford R, Gard F, Fuller J, Hutchins J, Symons N, Elipeta C, Sollosi S, Osei J, Moses B, Managu C.
Subs not used: Lami G, Poki C, Henry L, Popham M, Swallow D
