Vanarama National League South
East Thurrock United 2 v 1 Hampton and Richmond
A LATE goal by Tom Wraight ensured all three points for East Thurrock United at the FutureFuel Stadium.
East Thurrock started strongly in the spring sunshine and enjoy the majority of possession.
They reaped the rewards in the 11th minute when Sam Higgins broke free on the left, fired the ball square and Reece Harris scored from close range.
Hampton looked like a class outfit and were slowly trying to find their way. But they became more and more frustrated as the half went on.
Rocks continued to press and nearly had a second when Sam Higgins lobbed the keeper but the ball was cleared off the line.
And Tom Wraight nearly sneaked in a free kick just before half time.
Borough came out for the second half and laid siege to the Rocks’ goal. Again, they looked confident but were finding the breakthrough elusive until the 55th minute when Josh Casey’s strike hit the post and Duncan Culley put the rebound away.
East Thurrock came fighting back and Scott Heard went very close in the 64th minute.
In the 66th minute, Hampton were awarded a penalty but it was superbly saved by Lukas Lidakevicius.
The chances came…and went. In the 76th minute, Tom Wraight’s close range volley hit the woodwork.
The space was in midfield but neither side could find that killer pass.
The Rock’s drove forward in the final minutes as they went in search of all three point and they were rewarded in the 88th minute when Tom Wraight strode through to hammer the ball home.
Hampton hit the post in stoppage time as they tried to retrieve a point but the Rocks saw them out to secure three welcome points.
East Thurrock: Lidakevicius L, Freiter M (Wood B 77), Osifuwa A, Peddie S, Ekpiteta M, Burns L, Harris R, Heard S, Higgins S, Ruel K (Walker J 59), Wraight T.
Subs not used: Craddock G, Honesty H, Pardoe C
Hampton and Richmond: Howes S, Jelley T, Casey J, Hicks J, Gasson J, Odametey H, Collier N ( Fonguck W 85), Solomon L, Pavey A (Hippolytte-Patrick S 45), Culley D, Kiernan B.
Subs not used: Bishop B, Jolley C, Kamara M
Referee: Lee Venamore
Attendance: 243
