Wealdstone 1–0 East Thurrock United

(Goulding 75’)

From St Georges Stadium

National League South

EAST Thurrock United lost their first league match in almost three months as a solitary goal proved enough for Wealdstone.

Rocks were nursing a number of injury concerns ahead of kick-off, although doubt Joe Ellul was fit enough to start for the visitors.

John Coventry’s back-line needed their wits about them with 16-goal Elliot Benyon starting for Wealdstone and it was the home team that set the pace.

Matt Whichelow’s strike was just about blocked away by goalkeeper Lukas Lidakevicius, while Ellul was in the right place at the right time to clear a goal bound header.

Sam Higgins lashed a speculative drive just over the crossbar with 25 minutes gone, and Rocks were so close to taking the lead when a Reece Harris cross appeared to be looping in only for Ryheem Sheckleford to head off the line.

Danny Green was the next to be kept out by the keeper but it was goalless at the break.

Nick Freeman sent a shot wide early after the interval although George Craddock had an excellent chance to score only to miss the target with just the keeper to beat.

Ben Marlow then missed when it appeared easier to score, although Josh Urquhart was posing problems up the other end.

The only goal came 15 minutes from time when Liam Goulding burst through and smashed into the net.

And that was how it stayed.

East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Freiter, Nesbitt (Honesty), Clark, Ellul, Wood (Walker), Harris, Craddock, Higgins, Marlow, Wraight