East Thurrock United 2-0 Harrow Borough

From Rookery Hill

Ryman Premier League

By Dan Thurogood

EAST Thurrock United won their final home match of the season 2-0 against Harrow Borough to continue their play-off preparation in the perfect way.

Rocks’ title hopes came to an end after Hampton & Richmond Borough’s win at Grays Athletic but they did secure their highest ever league finish, with them now assured of a top three placing.

Goals from Sam Higgins and Tom Wraight were enough in a comfortable victory with goals at the start and the end of the match.

The home side started the better and had a goal to show for it. A lofted through ball from Rickie Hayles set Higgins away and he took a touch before firing past keeper Joe McDonnell and into the top corner.

Rocks continued to press, with Joe Ellul’s drive well collected by McDonnell, and Kris Newby volleying wide of the post, after good work from former Southend United striker James Walker, and neat support play from Wraight and Ryan Sammons.

Harrow’s first threat at goal came at the midway point of the half, with Harry Newman’s low cross inches away from finding the boot of Kane Jones who slid in towards the six yard box.

Sammons’ half volley from 35 yards was well held by McDonnell before Harrow’s Spencer McCall had an effort from 30 yards which nearly found the top corner shortly before the break.

With 20 minutes remaining the away side had their best chance of the match. A lofted cross from Fejiri Okerabirhie found the head of Newman, but he couldn’t quite get enough power on his header as goalkeeper Lukas Lidakevicius denied him low down to his right.

Wraight was denied by McDonnell, but did get the better of him late on. A cross from the right by Brandon Scott was controlled well by the midfielder and he fired low into the bottom left-hand corner to seal the points.

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