Leiston 1 East Thurrock United 2

East Thurrock United recorded a first ever victory over the Blues at the fifth attempt with a polished display at Victory Road. The visitors won the game through an unfortunate own goal via Joe Jefford but the Rocks were well worth their victory. Injuries forced Steve Ball to shuffle the side again after the excellent draw at leaders Margate. Pat Brothers was injured while the not fully fit Joe Francis was on the bench so Tom Winter and Jack Simmons came into the starting eleven. The visitors arrived late at Victory Road but it didn’t show as they started brightly. In truth so did the Blues and the first real opportunity came on just four minutes. Persistence from Cliff Akurang on the right allowed the striker to cross for Jack Simmons who failed to get a telling connection and direct his header goalwards from ten yards. The home side had a let off on eleven minutes as David Hughes caught Gareth Heath’s free kick and launched his clearance upfield to Sam Higgins whose shot from the right hand side of the box skidded across the face of Danny Gay’s goal. The warning wasn’t heeded and two minutes later the visitors opened the scoring from a cracking drive from Sam Higgins. The Rocks slowly built up play down their left before switching across to Higgins who had time to pick his spot with a clinical drive into Danny Gay’s top left hand corner from 22 yards. The lively visitors were at it again minutes later as great feet from Lewis Smith inside the Blues box created space but he dragged his shot across the face of goal. It was all East Thurrock at the moment and after an audacious lob from distance from Simon Peddie landed on the roof of Danny Gay’s goal the Blues stopper excelled to deny Sam Higgins with Adam Tann’s timely block denying the visitors a second. The home side were struggling to compete with the energy of the visitors at time but after Craig Parker’s half chance went just wide Leiston drew level on 34 minutes. Gareth Heath’s corner was met by the head of Cliff Akurang parried by David Hughes and in the midst of an almighty goal mouth scramble Leon Ottley-Gooch somehow poked the ball home. The goal physically lifted the hosts and only a fine goal line clearance from David Bryant denied Joe Jefford from Stuart Boardley’s corner as the half closed.

Early in the second half Ben Wood was the first into Referee Cooper’s note book for a foul on Jack Simmons and from Stuart Boardley’s free kick Cliff Akurang was inches from connecting. Four minutes into the second half the visitors regained the lead after a home attack had broken down. Leiston attacked the visitor’s goal with a ‘5 on 3’ situation but Leon Ottley-Gooch’s pass was intercepted and play soon switched to the other end and from a driven left wing centre from Lewis Smith, Joe Jefford horribly sliced the ball beyond the stranded Danny Gay. Smith was then denied by a fine save from Gay a minute later before a stinging drive from Reece Harris was inches over the top. Leiston were getting no joy from an adventurous and determined East Thurrock side whose work rate off the ball restricted the hosts. Manager Steve Ball changed Tom Winter with Michael Brothers and a deft chip from Brothers on 68 minutes set up Cliff Akurang but he failed to keep his header down and nodded over the top. The better chances were falling to the visitors and another fine save from Danny Gay denied Mitchell Gilbey as he skipped into the box and when the Blues keeper was beaten Blake Saker was on hand to clear Lewis Smith’s effort with twenty minutes remaining. Leiston introduced Joe Francis for Jack Simmons as they chased a response and from a Michael Brothers cross Cliff Akurang headed wide. Leiston were forcing the issue but inviting the visitors to counter, a dangerous ploy that caused anxious moments in the home defence. With the game entering the final throws the Blues were incensed when penalty appeals were turned down not once but twice. The first as Joe Francis went tumbling under the challenge of two defenders and moments later Joe Francis burst into the box and Ryan Sammons appeared to handle Craig Parker’s knock into the box but Referee Cooper was unmoved and booked Francis for his protests. The match drew to a close with an effort from Gareth Heath fired wide.

FT – Leiston 1 East Thurrock United 2

Blues line up: Gay, Saker, Boardley, Ottley-Gooch, Jefford, Tann, Winter (M Brothers 61 mins), Heath, Akurang, Parker, Simmons (Francis 70 mins). Subs not used: Noy and Rossis.

Goals: Ottley-Gooch 34 mins (Leiston), Higgins 13 mins, Jefford (own goal) 49 mins (East Thurrock United)

Yellow cards: Joe Francis (Leiston), Ben Wood & Nicholas Symons (East Thurrock United)

Man of the Match: Danny Gay

Attendance: 184