Vanarama National League South
Maidenhead United 2 v 1 East Thurrock United
Report by East Thurrock United
ROCKS can hold their heads high after pushing champions-elect Maidenhead all the way with a battling display in the sunshine at York Road.
Plenty of goalmouth action at both ends to keep a crowd of 1,134 on their toes, but one suspects the game will be long remembered for a rare, but stunning strike from Rocks’s Ben Wood.
Rocks signaled their attacking intentions from the off, and were unlucky not to go in front after five minutes when the impressive Ben Marlow struck the foot of the post with the keeper beaten.
The Magpies took the lead on 36 minutes when a defensive slip let in the lethal Dave Tarpey, who tucked past Lukas Lidacevicius for his 42nd league goal of the season.
Lukas pulled off a couple of excellent saves just before half time as Maidenhead pressed forward.
Rocks drew level ten minutes into the second half when Scott Heard’s cleverly disguised corner found Ben Wood who sent a stunning, unstoppable volley screaming past keeper Pentney from twenty yards out.
Alan Devonshire’s side scored what was to prove to be the winner with just over twenty minutes remaining, Jack Parkinson firing home after Rocks had failed to deal with a long throw.
That’s seven wins on the trot now for the Magpies, who sit five points clear at the top with just four games remaining.
Rocks:- Lidakevicius, Sammons, Osifuwa, Peddie, Marvin Ekpeteta, Wood (Honesty 73), Harris, Heard (Craddock 73), Higgins, Marlow (Freiter 90), Wraight. Unused subs:- Ruel, Walker.
