Basildon United 2
Great Wakering Rovers 1
Basildon United moved to within two points of the playoffs as first half goals from Michael Salako and Shane Temple sealed the three points in an Essex derby victory over Great Wakering; despite a late scare.
The hosts started the brighter of the two sides and had the first real chance of the encounter. Top scorer Daniel McCullock wriggled away from Perry Dunn before unleashing a powerful drive from a tight angle that was saved by the legs of Harry Fairs.
However just three minutes later the Bees were able to take the lead. In a desperate attempt to clear the ball, Wakering’s James White was deemed to have fouled Temple resulting in a penalty kick for Basildon. Salako stepped up and sent Fairs the wrong way from 12 yards out for his first strike of the season.
Just before the half hour mark things got even better for Basildon with Temple doubling the Bees’ lead. On this occasion Salako turned provider, getting in behind to square the ball across to the 19-year-old who tapped the ball into the unguarded net to give the Bees a two-goal cushion.
It wasn’t till just past the half hour mark when Wakering finally threatened the Basildon goal. Sam Dowridge found Alex Hernandez who unleashed a rasping volley that needed tipping over by James Askew.
The second half was a lot quieter with Basildon less dominant than they had been in the first period, but with Great Wakering struggling to carve out many clear-cut opportunities.
Just over ten minutes into the second period Hernandez again tested Askew. The former Concord striker was tasked with taking a free kick from just outside the area. The 19-year-old whipped his effort over the wall but the Basildon goalkeeper was equal to the effort getting down well to parry away, however Rovers were able to recycle possession with Matthew Rose sending a free header wide of the target at the back post.
With four minutes left on the clock Iain O’Connell’s men were able to grab themselves a lifeline thanks to James White. An inswinging Tommy Dixon corner was met by Rovers’ skipper who thundered a header into the back of net – denying Basildon of a second clean sheet of the season.
However, this strike would prove just to be a consolation as Great Wakering fell to a third successive defeat.
Whilst for Basildon they were able to record a fourth win in five games against Rovers as Marc Benterman’s men secured their first home win over Wakering since 2018.
By Nathan Williams
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