AUSTIN Smart fired White Ensign to a 2-1 win over Hullbridge Sports with the first senior goal of his career at Burroughs Park tonight.

Smart volleyed home from close range after Hullbridge goalkeeper Lemar Johnson-Joseph failed to gather a long ball into the box.

And the 17-year-old was delighted to see the ball hit the back of the net.

“On a personal note I was buzzing to get my first senior goal in my first season of senior football,” said Smart.

“It was an unreal feeling and to get the winner as well just topped it off.”

The victory moved up to 15th in the Essex Senior League standings and also ended a run of four successive defeats.

“After our recent poor results it was great to get back to winning ways,” said the centre-back.

“We all knew it was a must win game in the dressing room before hand and we did just that.

“In the second half the boys were immense with our work effort.

“We all won our individual battles and we were really determined to get over the line.”

Smart’s winning goal made it a frustrating night for Hullbridge Sport who wasted a number of good chances to score in the first half.

Ensign goalkeeper Harry Fairs made a smart early save to deny Usman Temitope before Jon Evans’ follow up effort was headed off the line by Nathan Wilson.

But, after surviving the scare, Ensign hit back to open the scoring after just six minutes with Eze Bademosi netting a well-taken lob.

Hullbridge reacted well to going behind with Oscar Onuroah hitting the left post before Zayshaun Asamoah levelled the scored with a brilliant header in the 14th minute.

With the visitors remaining on top, Onuorah sent another effort against the outside the left post before Adam Topley sent his curling 25 yard free-kick hit the opposite upright.

And Hullbridge were made to paid for those missed opportunities as Smart pounced to score just nine minutes from time to leave boss Aaron Bloxham delighted at the final whistle.

“We talked about our togetherness and I think that’s what got us over the line tonight,” said Bloxham.

“I thought we were due the rub of the green and we got it but the boys worked extremely hard.

“They ran, they battled and all in all to come away with the three points is a great result.”

But Bloxham admitted it was not a straight forward success for his side.

“I thought we started better but then they took the game to us,” said the Ensign boss.

“We were a little bit under the cosh but in the second half we dug in and looked to hit them on the break.

“We’ve been due a bit of luck and we got it tonight with a keeper mistake.”

That error was capitalised upon by Smart and Bloxham was full of praise for Ensign’s match-winner.

“He’s 17 years of age and to be playing there at his age in a big tough league like the Senior League is very good,” said Bloxham.

“He’s going to be some player.”

Ensign head to table-topping Tilbury this weekend while eighth placed Hullbridge are at home to sixth placed Halstead Town.