Bishop’s Stortford 0-4 East Thurrock United

(Marlow 6’, 34’, Wraight 24’, Akinwande 57’)

From the ProKit Stadium

National League South

EAST Thurrock United bounced back from their 6-1 humbling at title chasing Ebbsfleet United by comfortably seeing off Bishop’s Stortford.

Former Bishop’s Stortford winger Ben Marlow put his ex-side to the sword by claiming a brace, while Tom Wraight helped Rocks to a three-goal advantage before half time.

Femi Akinwande, who also counts Bishop’s Stortford among his former sides, notched East Thurrock’s fourth.

Marlow opened the scoring after only six minutes.

The winger was left unmarked in the penalty area, and volleyed into the roof of the net from eight yards out.

But Bishop’s Stortford nearly hit back immediately.

Jack Williams looked sure to net a debut goal for the hosts following a low cross from Sam Ford, but a superb last ditch tackle from Rocks central defender Marvin Ekpiteta denied him.

Marlow came close to doubling his tally 10 minutes later, but his long range effort was sent straight at Richard Walton, the Bishop’s Stortford goalkeeper.

But John Coventry’s side extended their advantage midway through the first half.

Marlow caused problems for his former club’s defence once again, and Wraight was there to tap home the rebound from six yards after Marlow had struck the crossbar.

Akinwande was denied soon after but Marlow completed his brace on 34 minutes.

The Bishop’s Stortford defence struggled to clear their lines and Marlow punished them as he drilled home from 25 yards.

After the break, Marlow continued to cause chaos around the home penalty area and he came within a whisker of completing his hat trick, as he sent a long range lob over the goalkeeper just over the crossbar.

But Akinwande made it four just before the hour mark.

The attacker, who recently joined on loan from Colchester United after a temporary spell with Maldon & Tiptree, latched on to a centre from Wraight and found the back of the net.

Lee Burns missed a superb chance to score East Thurrock’s fifth moments later.

The ball fell to the skipper six yards out but Burns somehow failed to hit the target.

East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Peddie, Sammons, Burns, Ekpiteta, Wood, Harris, Marlow, Akinwande, Heard, Wraight