Weston-super-Mare 1-3 East Thurrock United

(Ash 90’: Akinwande 72’, 90’, Harris 87’)

From Woodspring Stadium

National League South

EAST Thurrock United prepared for Tuesday night’s Essex Senior Cup final with Chelmsford City by getting the better of Weston-super-Mare.

A brace from Colchester United loanee Femi Akinwande and a header from Reece Harris secured the win for John Coventry’s side.

Rocks goalkeeper Lucas Lidakevicius turned away a Dayle Grubb strike after only four minutes and a goal-line clearance was needed from the resulting corner to stop the home side from taking an early lead.

East Thurrock took the lead after 72 minutes.

Weston’s Aden Baldwin tracked across to cover but slipped, allowing Akinwande to race in on goal and tuck the ball away past the onrushing Luke Purnell.

The hosts almost replied immediately. A free kick was tapped home at the far post by Ash Kington, but the effort was disallowed for offside.

Rocks doubled their lead on 87 minutes as Harris glanced a free kick into the bottom corner of the net.

Akinwande then drove towards the Weston penalty area and fired an arrowed shot past Purnell to double his tally and put the game beyond the home side.

Directly from kick off, the Seagulls grabbed a consolation.

Danny Greenslade found space on the left wing and swung an inch-perfect cross into the box for Brad Ash to nod home in the first minute of second half stoppage time.

The three points has seen Coventry’s side move past the 50 point mark and into 11th place and the Rocks will be full of confidence heading into the Essex Senior Cup final.