Isthmian Premier
Bognor Regis Town 4 v 0 East Thurrock United
Report courtesy of East Thurrock United
A DISAPPOINTING day out at the seaside for Paul Martin’s beleaguered Rocks squad, as their trip to West Sussex for the “Battle of the Rocks” turned into a nightmare as rampant Bognor inflicted their heaviest defeat of the season.
With six players on the injury list, Rocks also had to go into the game without livewire Kenny Aileru, who to date has been their main goal threat in the absence of injury victim Alfie Cue.
So, it was yet another re-shuffled side, with Izzy Bademosi the only recognised attacking player in the line-up.
Bognor, a side who have a tradition of playing attractive football certainly lived up to that reputation through the game, but an early yellow card for Bradley Lethbridge for a crunching late challenge on Dan Cossington showed they can also dish it out when required. Many officials will have seen his tackle as a red card offence, which could well have affected the result of the game.
Rocks made a reasonable start, and Jon Nzengo, playing in a more advanced role ended a decent move by grazing the outside of the post.
Bognor’s Ashton Leigh looked set to score for the home side some twelve minutes in, breaking clear and firing in a powerful drive, but Arthur Janata pulled off an excellent save.
Leigh was not to be denied however, and on the half hour he was again put through, and this time he sent an unstoppable effort curling into the top corner.
Bognor doubled their lead five minutes later, and again it was Leigh, who collected the ball from a short corner, left a couple of Rocks defenders in his wake before rifling across Janata and inside the far post.
With half time approaching, the home side were awarded a penalty for a mistimed challenge. Not to be outdone by his brother, Tommy Leigh stepped up to cooly convert the spot kick.
Rocks came out looking positive after the break, and Phil Brown-Bampoe finished off a good attacking move by firing just over, but Rocks fell further behind ten minutes into the half when a cross from the right unexpectedly zipped up off the surface catching Ayo Olukoga on the arm, and Ashton Leigh completed his hat-trick from the resultant penalty.
Credit to our boys, as they continued to push forward, Callum Taylor uncharacteristically mishit a shot after getting on the end of a Ben Jordan free kick, then Brown-Bampoe saw his effort deflect off a defender for a corner.
Izzy Bademosi, who had worked tirelessly throughout had an effort saved by imposing home keeper Amadou Tangara, and then, with time running out, came a chance which summed up Rocks afternoon as Jordan Peart made another incisive run down the left flank and his cross found Bademosi who, from some three yards out managed to miscue with the goal at his mercy.
ROCKS : Arthur Janata, Jon Nzengo, Callum Taylor, Mike Agboola, Jamie Marsh (Ben Jordan 51), Dan Cossington, Luke Illsley, Ayo Olukoga, Izzy Bademosi, Jordan Peart, Ricky Brennan (Phil Brown-Bampoe 51). Subs: Mike Castle, Zenon Stylianides, Jordan Williams gk.
