Vanarama National League South
East Thurrock United 2 v 0 Bath City
East Thurrock United 2 Bath City 0
Vanarama League South
Report by David Osborne
Steady Rocks performance secures well deserved victory
East Thurrock United hosted Bath City today at the FutureFuel Stadium on Saturday and put in an impressive performance, also keeping a clean sheet to seal a home victory. The Rocks got off to a great start, pressuring the visitors from the off. Kye Ruel and Reece Harris combined well in the second minute for the first chance of the match, but ultimately the keeper scrambled to hold onto the ball.
The Rocks took the lead in the 27th minute with a fantastic team goal. Captain Sam Higgins completed the move, crashing home from close range after excellent contributions in the build up by Lee Burns and George Craddock, culminating with a perfectly placed cross by Tom Wraight to gift Higgins the finish.
Higgins then went from finisher to provider moments later, as East Thurrock made it 2-0 on 32 minutes. Higgins lofted the ball into the box, but it just flighted over Tom Wraight’s attempted header, but Reece Harris read the ball well and finished with a first time strike into the bottom corner.
Midfielder Billy Murphy had a good chance to get one back before the break, as he ran through the centre of the field before striking at the edge of the box. His effort though was dragged wide of the right post and out for a goal kick.
The Rocks started the second half very quickly and they could have extended their lead further as Higgins had three chances in the first ten minutes after the break. His best of the three came when he got in behind the defence on the left hand side, but his strike cannoned off the post and keeper, going out for a corner.
Bath then built their way back into the game and they made a couple of good attempts to score, but were denied both times by diving saves from Rocks stopper Lukas Lidakevicius.
The Rocks then reacted well after the two attempts and they steadied and managed to see out the remainder of the game for a satisfying and thoroughly deserved victory.
East Thurrock United: Lukas Lidakevicius, Ryan Sammons, Ade Osifuwa, Lee Burns (Simon Peddie 80′), Marvin Ekpiteta, Ben Wood, Reece Harris, George Craddock, Sam Higgins (James Walker 83′), Kye Ruel (Michael Freiter 83′), Tom Wraight.
Scorers – Sam Higgins (27′), Reece Harris (32′)
Bath City: Max O’Leary, George Rigg, Miles Welch-Hayes, Jack Batten, Axel Andresson, Chas Hemmings (Lee Marshall 66′), Andy Watkins, Billy Murphy, Nick McCootie (Marvin Morgan 59′), Naby Diallo (Josh Hutchinson 55′), Shawn McCoulsky.
