East Thurrock United 1, Burgess Hill Town 0: Hillians unlucky to leave with nothing

Hill put in a good performance against their play-off chasing hosts who started the night in fifth and ended it in third place in the Ryman Premier Division.

Hill were forced to shuffle their defence with Lee Harding moving into a full back position due to Sam Fisk arriving late to the ground after suffering a burst en route to the game. Influential midfielder Joe Keehan was again missing but should return for Saturday’s massive game at Brentwood.

Striker Chris Smith had the first real chance after just three minutes when he went through on goal but keeper Lucas Lidakevicius saved his low shot.

At the other end Sam Higgins flicked the ball on for Tom Wraight to go on through on goal but Josh James saved well with his legs as the hosts enjoyed a bit of early possession although they struggled to create too many clear cut chances.

Ben Wood saw a long range effort saved comfortably by James before the Hillians went close on two occasions as they grew into the game.

Firstly Pat Harding found the lively Smith who turned and shot low from the edge of the box which Lidakevicius saved and minutes later Sam Gargan found Smith who again turned his marker and struck a powerful shot which was tipped round the post for a corner.

The last chance of the half fell to Higgins who was left unmarked at the edge of the box from a corner but he shot straight at James.

Hill midfielder Dan Pearse saw a powerful strike go narrowly wide seven minutes into the half whilst up the other end United’s new signing Jimmy Nottage saw his effort saved.

Lewis Smith went close to opening the scoring on 66 minutes when he did well on the left before cutting in and shooting but James was equal to it – parrying it away but a minute later the deadlock was broken.

Substitute Jimmy Walker scored just six minutes after coming on when he was on hand to slot home from Wraight’s blocked shot. However, when Wraight’s initial effort was fired in, Walker was a yard offside (a fact later proven by post-match footage), and despite protests by the Hill players at the time, it fell on deaf ears and the goal stood.

The Hillians immediately looked for a response and Smith was brought down on the edge of the box by Ryan Sammons who received a booking. Gargan’s free kick hit the wall and his follow up was off target.

Soon after a good passing movement between Smith, Harding and Gargan resulted in Pearse having a low shot comfortably saved by Lidakevicius.

Hill continued to pressure for an equaliser at the end but nothing materialised and the Hillians undeservedly left Rookery Hill with nothing.

MOM: Toby Pointing – The versatile defender put in a solid display at left-back as he filled in for Sam Fisk.

Hillians: Josh James, Lee Harding, Toby Pointing, Will Miles, Andy Pearson, Dan Pearse, Scott Kirkwood, Darren Budd (Sam Fisk 77), Pat Harding, Chris Smith, Sam Gargan.

Not used: Curtis Gayler, Cam Wiltshire, Elliot Levy, Guy Bolton

East Thurrock United: Lucas Lidakevicius, Ryan Sammons, Jimmy Nottage, Simon Peddie, Rickie Hayles, Ben Wood, Lewis Smith, George Craddock (Daryl Robson 56), Sam Higgins, Sammy Knott (James Walker 61), Tom Wraight.

Not used: Jimmy Shepherd, Ryan McFarlane, Kye Ruel.

Attendance: 143