East Thurrock United 2-0 Tonbridge Angels

From Rookery Hill

Ryman Premier League Play-Off Semi-Final

EAST Thurrock United booked their place in the Ryman Premier League play-off final after two first half goals saw off the challenge of Tonbridge Angels.

Goals from Rickie Hayles and Ben Marlow in the first half were enough for Rocks, who will take on Dulwich Hamlet at Rookery Hill on Monday.

Rocks had done the double over Tonbridge in the league, winning the league fixture at Rookery Hill 3-0 just eight weeks ago.

And it was the home side that made the early running, with John Coventry’s men putting the visitors under pressure from the off.

Tonbridge goalkeeper Anthony Di Bernardo was called into action after just five minutes. A neat ball was played into the marauding Marlow, with the midfielder taking a touch and curling towards the far corner only for Di Bernardo to tip the ball aside at full stretch.

But he was helpless moments later when Rocks did get the breakthrough, and it was a goal made and scored by the defence. Joe Ellul flicked into the path of Hayles and he took a touch, swivelled and crashed home.

Angels were growing into the game, with former Canvey Island striker Bradley Woods-Garness looking lively, although Rocks stopper Lukas Lidakevicius remained largely untested between the posts.

Angels’ first chance didn’t come until the half hour mark but it should have brought the equaliser. Nathan Elder outmuscled Ellul and bore down on goal but, faced with Lidakevicius, could only fire wide with the outside of his boot.

Nicky Wheeler was denied by Lidakevicius from a narrow angle as the pressure on the home goal grew although Rocks were looking lively on the break.

Sam Higgins shot wide from 20 yards as the half drew to a close but there was still time for another goal.

A long Hayles throw caused carnage in the box and, after a George Craddock drive was block, Marlow fired beyond Di Bernardo from 15 yards.

Angels needed a fast start and that was exactly what they got. Within 60 seconds, Elder forced a save from Lidakevicius and then made a brilliant follow up stop from Luke Allen.

There was a break in play after Kye Ruel was carried off with what looked like a serious knee injury but Angels were unable to make their pressure tell against an ever-resilient Rocks defence.

It wasn’t until 75 minutes that Lidakevicius was called into action once again, as he spread himself to deny Sobers.

Substitute Brandon Scott missed a golden chance to make it 3-0 late on but it ended 2-0.

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

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