Vanarama National League South
East Thurrock United 2 v 3 Hemel Hempstead Town
By David Osborne
HEMEL Hempstead left the FutureFuel Stadium with all three points after snatching the win in added time from the penalty spot.
The Tudors had the better chances in the opening half and looked the most likely to score in the early exchanges, with both Jordan Parkes and Jake Robinson steering their efforts wide of the mark.
Jake Robinson gave the visitors the lead in the 18th minute. The goal came from a corner, which was flicked on at the front post by the head of Tony Diagne, for Robinson to volley home from a yard out.
The Rocks struggled to make an impact in the attacking third of the pitch, but they managed to carve a couple of halve chances out just before the break as they upped the tempo. Tom Wraight went closest with a right footed strike on the turn from the edge of the box, but his shot curled wide of the mark.
After the break East Thurrock came out faster as they searched for an equaliser and their efforts were almost rewarded in the 47th minute as right back, Lee Burns, got in behind the defence down the right flank, but his shot from an acute angle was parried out for a corner.
Sam Higgins then went close on 54 minutes as the Rocks employed a more direct approach. Lidakevicius’ goal kick sent Higgins on his way and he looked to lob the keeper who was caught well out of position, but his effort just crept wide.
East Thurrock eventually got the equaliser in the 64th minute and defender Michael Clark was credited with the goal, heading home from a corner, although it looked as though the visiting keeper may have contributed to steering the ball over the line.
There was no doubting the goal scorer for the third goal though, as Tom Wraight met a perfectly flighted cross from Harry Honesty to head into the top right hand corner, leaving the keeper stranded. Great build up and an even better finish.
Charlie Sheringham levelled the score in the 77th minute and the goal was similar to their first as a corner was crossed into the near post. Sheringham met the cross well and headed the ball into the roof of the net, just inside the near post.
The deciding goal came 2 minutes into added time, as Marvel Ekpiteta brought down substitute Michael Thalassitis inside the box to give the visitors a penalty. Jordan Parkes stepped up to steer the ball home to seal the victory.
East Thurrock United: Lukas Lidakevicius, Lee Burns (Michael Freiter 58), Marvel Ekpiteta, Michael Clark, Marvin Ekpiteta, George Craddock, Reece Harris, Ben Marlow, Sam Higgins, James Walker (Harry Honesty 66), Tom Wraight
Scorers – Michael Clark (63′), Tom Wraight (69′)
Hemel Hempstead Town: Jamie Butler, Callum Driver, Kyle Connolly, Jordan Parkes, Tony Diagne, Reiss Greenidge, Charlie Sheringham, Jake Robinson, Ben Greenhalgh (Michael Thalassitis 73), Artaud Mendy (Justin Amaluzer 73)
Scorers – Jake Robinson (18′), Charlie Sheringham (77′), Jordan Parkes (90′)
