Ryman Premier
East Thurrock Utd 4 v 1 VCD Athletic
THE Rocks made heavy weather of it but in the end took all three points at Rookery Hill.
East Thurrock opened the scoring in the 2nd minute after a lovely passage of one touch play which culminated in Tom Wraight side-footing it from close range.
However, relegated VCD were able to strike back when they were awarded and converted a penalty in the 6th minute.
Although VCD are doomed there was a concern that the game could have followed a similar pattern to Leatherhead a few weeks ago when the Rocks surrendered a lead.
The Rocks plugged away on the left hand side where Tom Wraight and Sammy Knott had acres of space.
Sam Higgins should have scored when left unmarked but he blasted it at the keeper. Joe Ellul produced a flamboyant overhead kick.
In the 28th minute, Ricky Hayles was give a yellow card for a nasty challenge. A few minutes later, VCD’s Derek Duncan inexplicably elbowed Ben Wood in the head. The referee, Paul Yates had no choice but to issue a straight red card.
But The Rocks could not break through and nearly went behind when a Ricky Appleton howitzer.
This first half torpor had afflicted Rocks of late and they could not shake it.
The Rocks came out batting in the second half but apart from a Sammy Knott shot they had nothing much to show in the opening fifteen minutes.
Tom Wraigh produced a great turn and strike but to be fair, the VCD keeper was bang on form
However, he could not stop Kris Newby, who put The Rocks ahead in the 64th minute with a well worked move down the right hand side.
VCD lost their fight and it was no surprise when Joe Ellul made it 3-1 with a header at the far post.
He clearly enjoyed it so much that he scored the fourth goal in the 78th minute after a good cross by Brandon Scott.
East Thurrock Utd:
Lidakevicius L, Newby K, Knott S, Ellul J , Hayles R, Wood B , Marlow B, Higgins S, Walker J Wraight T, Sammons R
Subs not used: Ruel K, Scott B, Peddie S, Robson D,, Hogan C
VCD Athletic
Hunter M, Tchonang F, Proberts A, Avery R, Bruce J, Ricardo J, Bankole O, Duncan D, Sappleton R, Gordon-Young T, Menga L’Hereux
Subs not used: Hudson M, Arbaut E, Imudia J, Kelly A, Graham R
Att: 159
