Brimsdown FC 3–4 East Thurrock Community FC
Wednesday 7th October 2026
Four league wins in a row. Third in the table. Seven goals. A dramatic stoppage-time winner. What a night for The Rocks!
East Thurrock Community FC produced a sensational comeback on Wednesday evening, fighting back from 2–0 and 3–1 down to claim a remarkable 4–3 victory away at Brimsdown FC, with returning Rock, Tommy Barnacle completing his hat-trick deep into stoppage time.
The Rocks started brightly, creating an early opportunity in the sixth minute when Harry Prince delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Reiss Lowe met the ball, but the Brimsdown keeper reacted quickly to turn it behind for a corner.
Ten minutes later, Lowe turned provider, threading a wonderful pass through to Bobby Reeman, whose well-timed attacking run threatened to unlock the home defence. However, Reeman couldn’t quite get enough on his effort to trouble the goalkeeper.
Despite East Thurrock’s promising start, it was Brimsdown who struck first. In the 19th minute, the hosts took the lead with a well-taken finish before doubling their advantage just three minutes later with a clinical chip.
The Rocks found themselves 2–0 down and under pressure, with a goal-line clearance needed following a scramble from a Brimsdown corner in the 32nd minute.
However, East Thurrock continued to battle. Just before the interval, Tommy Barnacle unleashed a powerful effort from inside the penalty area, forcing an excellent save from the home goalkeeper. Moments later, Brimsdown nearly extended their lead when their number 14 broke forward on the counter-attack and rattled the crossbar.
Half-time: Brimsdown FC 2–0 East Thurrock Community FC
The Rocks made three changes at the break, introducing Dylan Sanham, Lewis Rowe and Harry Salter in place of Marcus Adebayo-Bella, Fortune Motobaluti and Joe Callender.
Brimsdown thought they had added a third six minutes after the restart, only for the referee to rule out the effort for handball.
Barnacle continued to cause problems, testing the goalkeeper with a low-driven shot in the 54th minute, before The Rocks finally found their breakthrough.
In the 56th minute Reiss Lowe pulled one back for East Thurrock, giving the visitors renewed hope of a comeback. Brimsdown 2-1 ETCFC.
Unfortunately, the celebrations were short-lived. Just four minutes later, Brimsdown restored their two-goal advantage with an excellent free kick, making it 3–1.
But The Rocks refused to surrender.
Barnacle drove down the right in the 66th minute, firing an effort over the crossbar, before Harry Prince found himself in a promising position a minute later, only to strike into the side netting.
Reiss Lowe then came agonisingly close to his second goal of the evening, unleashing a superb long-range effort that was brilliantly tipped over by the Brimsdown goalkeeper.
With just ten minutes remaining, East Thurrock still trailed by two goals. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
80′ Tommy Barnacle sparked the comeback with a fantastic goal, reducing the deficit and giving The Rocks a lifeline. Brimsdown 3–2 ETCFC
And just three minutes later, he struck again! In the 83rd minute, a beautifully weighted through ball found Barnacle, who produced a lovely finish to draw East Thurrock level. Brimsdown 3-3 ETCFC.
From 3–1 down to 3–3 in the space of just three minutes, The Rocks had completely transformed the contest.
But they weren’t finished yet.
Deep into stoppage time, East Thurrock came agonisingly close to snatching the lead. A dangerous cross found Dan Nakipov-Getmansky, whose header caused chaos in the Brimsdown penalty area before the home defence somehow scrambled the ball off the line.
It looked as though both sides would have to settle for a point. Then came the 94th minute. Harry Prince delivered a beautiful cross towards the back post, where Tommy Barnacle was waiting to tap the ball home! Brimsdown 3-3 ETCFC.
HAT-TRICK COMPLETE! COMEBACK COMPLETE!
Cue incredible celebrations as The Rocks completed one of the most dramatic turnarounds of their season.
FULL-TIME: BRIMSDOWN FC 3–4 EAST THURROCK COMMUNITY FC
What a performance. What a comeback. What a team!
East Thurrock showed tremendous character, determination and belief to turn the game completely on its head.
Tommy Barnacle will rightly take the headlines with his sensational second-half hat-trick, but this was a comeback built on the fighting spirit of the entire team.
The victory makes it FOUR consecutive league wins for East Thurrock Community FC and moves The Rocks into THIRD PLACE in the league table!
A night to remember, three points secured, and another reminder that this team never knows when it’s beaten.
THE ROCKS NEVER GIVE UP!
Written by Claire Thatcher