East Thurrock United 3–0 Tonbridge Angels

From Rookery Hill

Ryman Premier League

 

EAST Thurrock United secured a vital victory over promotion rivals Tonbridge Angels to remain top of the Ryman Premier League.

Goals from Sam Higgins, James Walker and Kye Ruel were enough for Rocks, who were surprisingly comfortable against the third-placed Kent side.

And the hosts couldn’t have asked for a more profitable opening. With 10 minutes on the clock, Kris Newby played through Higgins and he slotted past the onrushing Anthony Di Bernardo for his 38th goal of the season.

Angels were shell-shocked and looked to strike back as Luke Blewden brushed off the challenge of Sammy Knott and bore down on goal. He looked certain to test the goalkeeper but Joe Ellul raced back to make a vital interception in the penalty area.

Rocks were playing on the counter-attack and it worked to good effect midway through the half, although in somewhat contentious circumstances.

It appeared as though Angels should have been awarded a free-kick in their attacking third but the referee disagreed. Rocks broke through Tom Wraight and when his shot was only tipped into the danger zone by Di Bernardo, Walker was on hand to tap home.

Into the second-half, it was Angels that were turning the screw, albeit without creating any clear-cut chances.

Lucas Lidakevicius did not have a save to make all afternoon, although credit must go to centre-back pairing Rickie Hayles and Joe Ellul for a hugely impressive showing.

Hayles sliced wide of the target in the Angels penalty area, while substitute Bradley Woods-Garness headed off target for the away side as the game entered the final 20 minutes.

But it was a Rocks substitute that made the game safe with 15 minutes to go. Sonny Mills failed to clear a long ball and Ruel nicked the ball off his toe, bore down on goal and finished at the near post.

 

East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Sammons (Peddie), Knott, Ellul, Hayles, Wood, Newby (Craddock), Marlow, Higgins, Walker (Ruel), Wraight

Tonbridge Angels: Di Bernardo, Folkes, Parter, Parkinson, Mills, Ball, Webster (Whitnell), Allen (Riviere), Elder, Blewden (Woods-Garness), Wheeler