East Thurrock United 4-1 Oxford City

(C. Ekpiteta 13’, 16’, Higgins 86’, Agyemang 88’: Paterson 64’)

From the FutureFuel Stadium

National League South

EAST Thurrock United secured a much-needed three points in the National League South as a Calvin Ekpiteta brace helped down Oxford City.

Rocks had been in excellent form in the cup competitions and came into this match as favourites to extend that form against an Oxford side struggling near the foot of the table.

And just 13 minutes were needed for East Thurrock to break the deadlock.

Calvin Ekpiteta, the hero of last weekend’s victory against Chester in the FA Trophy, was in the right place at the right time to tap home from close range.

Three minutes later it was a case of déjà vu. A poor ball in defence was picked up by Ekpiteta and he fired past goalkeeper Craig King, who failed to hold onto the shot.

The half ended 2-0 with Rocks in control, although the away side were to get back into the match just after the hour.

Matt Paterson sent a fine curling strike beyond Lukas Lidakevicius in the home goal.

Desperate for league points, Rocks needed to see out the final 20 minutes but came very close to conceding an equaliser.

Ezra Forde was played clean through but Lidakevicius was equal to his strike.

And Rocks went on to net two late goals. Sam Higgins got the first with a superb free-kick, and Montel Agyemang completed the scoring in the final two minutes.

East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Sammons, Clark, Burns, M. Ekpiteta, Phipps, Agyemang, Cornhill, Higgins, C. Ekpiteta, Smith