Lewes 3-2 East Thurrock United

From the Dripping Pan

Ryman Premier Division

 

EAST Thurrock United lost back-to-back league games for the first time since September as they went down 3-2 at Lewes.

Rocks saw their game last weekend fall foul to the weather but they were unable to use the extra preparation time to their advantage against the struggling Sussex team.

A brace from Sam Higgins came too late for East Thurrock as the hosts ran into a three goal advantage.

A brace from Sam Cole and a header by former Grays Athletic striker Leroy Griffiths were too much for John Coventry’s play-off chasers, who sit three points from the final play-off spot after the result.

Coventry had a full strength squad at his disposal but it was the home side that started the brighter.

Henry Muggeridge was denied by David Hughes between the Rocks posts, before Elliott Romain headed wide of the post after neat link-up play involving Cole and Griffiths.

Higgins was the first to come close for the visitors, with his effort saved after a neat one-two with Lewis Smith.

Griffiths shot over as the pressure mounted on the away goal and it was no surprise when they went ahead.

Hughes brought down Romain in the box, leaving Cole to finish from the spot.

Five minutes later the striker doubled his advantage when a free-kick deflected into his path from close range.

Higgins came close again before the break but Lewes were well worth their half-time advantage.

And it was 3-0 shortly after as Griffiths sent home a bullet header.

James Fraser hit the post before the East Thurrock response began. Higgins scored the opening goal with a rocket of a shot from outside the box.

The pressure was building on the home goal and Rikki Banks was instrumental in keeping the two-goal lead intact when he denied Higgins once again.

But Higgins did get on the score sheet again, after Rocks had seen an effort cleared off the line, when he blasted beyond Banks for his 31st goal of term. But it was too little too late.

East Thurrock United: Hughes, Sammons, Stephen, Wood, Goodacre, Witherspoon (Ruel), Bryant, Symons, Higgins, Gilbey (Parmenter), Smith (Paxman)