East Thurrock United 4–1 Lewes

From Rookery Hill

Ryman Premier League

 

EAST Thurrock United put their injury crisis behind them as they romped to a 4-1 win over lowly ten-man Lewes.

A Sam Higgins brace as well as strikes from Ashley Miller and Ady Yusuff was enough for the home team, who were playing on a rain and wind battered pitch at Rookery Hill.

And it could have been a dream start for the Rocks. Higgins could have got the opening goal after just 30 seconds, with his long-range effort clawed away by Lewes stopper Chris Winterton.

Yusuff, on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge, missed the target before Lewes had their first chance, with Richard Pacquette just failing to get on the end of a fierce cross.

But it was Miller who opened the scoring, heading in at the far post after Daryl Robson and Kris Newby combined for the defender to tap into the net.

Rickie Hayles was then added to the Rocks lengthy injury-list, taken off as a result of the challenge that saw Lewes’ James Hammond receive a straight red card.

But it was the Rooks that got the equalising goal on the hour mark. Henry Muggeridge’s corner was caught by the wind and beat the dive of goalkeeper Lukas Lidakevicius as it floated over his head.

But that lasted just four minutes, as Higgins breached the back line, taking the ball past the goalkeeper to slot into an empty net.

And Rocks controlled the closing exchanges, with the third goal coming 15 minutes from time.

Higgins got the goal from the penalty spot, after Yusuff was brought down in the area.

And Yusuff deservedly got himself on the scoresheet with a fierce strike from the corner of the penalty spot, smashing the ball across the keeper.

 

East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Miller, Ruel, Wood, Hayles, Robson, Newby, Craddock, Higgins, Yusuff, Wraight