East Thurrock 4

Merthyr Town 2

BRACES from skipper Steve Sheehan and Jason Hallett helped East Thurrock turn around a two-goal deficit to reach the FA Trophy first round, writes George Thorpe.

The four scores, in 21 second half minutes, cancelled out Merthyr Town’s lead and sent the men from south Wales crashing out on Saturday.

Throughout the match, Rocks dominated with their high-pressing football stifling the Martyrs’ free-flowing passing tactics. Despite the superiority, however, East Thurrock struggled to convert any first half chances with David Bryant heading over the bar 11 minutes in when Tom Stephen’s corner found him unmarked.

Visiting goalkeeper Giles Cutlan, who early on flapped at a number of crosses, pulled off a brilliant save in the 36th minute getting a leg to Kye Ruel’s shot.

A sucker punch was then struck by Merthyr five minutes later when Ian Taylor ran through the defence before sending the ball to Kayne McLaggon who tapped in from close range.

Taylor made it 2-0 in the 58th minute when he got hold of a through ball, cut back onto his right foot on the edge of the area and struck his shot past Sam Mott.

This appeared to finally awaken East Thurrock and four minutes later Sheehan rose to nod in after Simon Glover got a head to another Stephen’s corner.

It was the captain’s head again which levelled proceedings when in the 72nd minute he was found unmarked from Stuart Thurgood’s free kick.

Bryant could have made it 3-2 moments later but mistimed a shot in the six-yard box, but his strike partner Hallett soon completed the comeback.

Sammons latched onto a long ball and had his shot saved by Cutlan.

But Hallett was on hand to rebound and send the home crowd bananas.

The forward got his second five minutes later when he calmly finished a counter attack which saw him and Bryant take on Cutlan and defender Jamie Rewbury.

Rocks boss John Coventry said he was pleased with his team’s effort against adversity.

Coventry said: “We’re a side trying to find form who haven’t had the best of luck recently, but we showed great commitment and got what we deserved.”

East Thurrock: Mott, Peddie, Stephen, Dawson, Sheehan (c), Glover, Sammons, Thurgood (Witherspoon, 90), Hallett, Bryant (Smith, 87), Ruel.

Subs not used: Parmenter, Gilbey, Hughes.

Man-of-the-Match: Stuart Thurgood.

Attendance: 163