A 3-1 home defeat for Cray Wanderers meant East Thurrock United did the double over their hosts as the already relegated Wands dropped a place to the bottom of the table.

Meanwhile the victory took their victors out of the Ryman Premier League relegation zone.

The visitors started the better side and forcing two corners in quick succession they took an early lead in only the third minute – Sam Higgins scoring from close range.

The Wands’ almost went 2-0 down on eleven minutes but for an athletic save by The Wands’ Darren Behcet. The visitors’ Lewis Smith had time to bring the ball under control and shoot from 25 yards out but Behcet was equal to the strike tipping it over the bar.

However The Wands did fall further behind 19 minutes – Mitchell Gilby’s cross into the 6yd box from the by-line found David Bryant who had the simplest of finishes.

The Wands registered their first shot on goal just before the half hour mark. Adrian Stone’s shot from 10 yards out forced a save low to David Hughes’ right side after good work and link up play between Stone, Paul Vines and Jordan Bird and soon after the home side pulled a goal back – A long ball by captain Stavrinou behind the visitors back line found Vines who shot low past the advancing Hughes into the unguarded goal from just inside the right side of the penalty area.

Seven minutes into the second half a high loose ball fell to Vines on the right corner of the penalty area – Despite the net rippling, his well struck volley could only find the side netting.

Higgins missed a glorious chance to increase the visitors lead with just over twenty minutes remaining after good link up play on the edge of the box resulted in the striker failing to test Behcet or hit the target from a great position in front of goal.

With five minutes remaining the visitors scored a third and secured the points. A long ball behind The Wands’ back line by Smith found Higgins in space towards goal. Taking it in his stride he shot low and across the despairing dive of Behcet, finding the ‘keeper’s bottom right corner for his second of the game.

 

Cray Wanderers: Behcet, Udoji, Simpson, James-Lewis, Fitzgerald, Larin, Bird, Stavrinou ©, Vines, Fakinos (Ofon-Acheampong, 73), Stone.

Subs Not Used: Akande, Beckett, Monan, Taylor.

Goal: Vines 32

 

East Thurrock United: Hughes, R. Simmons, Stephen, Peddie, Sheehan ©, Gilbey, Bryant, N. Simmons, Higgins, Richmond (Witherspoon, 82), Smith.

Subs Not Used: Lechmere, Paxman, Keith, Anderson.

Goals: Higgins 3, 85; Bryant 19.

 

Referee: Mr Matthew Goldsmith

Assistants: Mr Michael Barnes, Mr Theo Parfitt

 

Att; 132