Braintree Town 4-0 East Thurrock United

(Crook 25’, Grant 38’, 72’ Allen 39’)

From Cressing Road

National League South

EAST Thurrock United continued to struggle at the start of 2018 as they were emphatically beaten by promotion hopefuls Braintree Town.

Rocks were searching for a response to the New Year’s Day defeat against Concord Rangers and they looked bright early on.

Nathan McDonald had to be at his best to tip away an early strike, while Roman Michael-Percil was causing problems for the Iron in forward areas.

It was an open game with both creating opportunities. Phil Roberts’ header was sent over the crossbar for Braintree, with Sam Higgins blasting off target up the other end.

But it took a strike of real quality to open the scoring. On 25 minutes, Marcel Barrington’s strike dropped to Billy Crook and the attacker flicked the loose ball up and volleyed into the top corner.

Rocks showed nice touches as they bid to get back into the match only for two quick-fire goals to all but end the contest.

Reece Grant netted seven minutes before the break after Crook’s effort had hit the post and less than 60 seconds later it was 3-0.

Roberts crossed for Allen and he made no mistake from close range.

It was again the Iron that were on top early in the second period, although Lukas Lidakevicius was not unduly troubled.

But Grant was to get a fourth with 18 minutes to go and the Iron held out to pick up three more points in their promotion bid.

East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Peddie, Sampayo, Clark, M. Ekpiteta, Phipps, Harris, Burns (Richardson 67’), Higgins, Cornhill, Honesty