Venue: Earls Colne Recreation Club
Written by Shaun Rudman
The Rocks were left to rue missed chances as they were held to a goalless draw away at Earls Colne, despite producing a dominant performance and creating the clearer opportunities throughout the match.
The visitors started brightly and nearly made the perfect opening inside the first ten minutes. After some neat work down the left flank by Lewis Rowe, Harry Prince found space in the box but lifted his effort narrowly over the crossbar.
The Rocks continued to apply pressure and came close again on 22 minutes when Bailey Morris delivered a dangerous cross towards the far post, only for Tommy Barnacle to arrive a fraction too late to convert. Prince was again involved just after the half-hour mark, striking a sweet volley from the edge of the area that skimmed the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.
The best chance of the first half arrived shortly before the break. From a corner, Harry Salter flicked the ball on at the near post and it almost crept inside the far corner, but Earls Colne survived to go into half-time level. The Rocks headed into the interval firmly on top, but without the goal their play deserved.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with the Rocks enjoying the lion’s share of possession but struggling to their covert dominance into goals. Changes were made in search of a breakthrough, with Bobby Reeman replacing Barnacle on 70 minutes, followed soon after by Kian French coming on for Keiron Miles.
The pressure continued to build, and on 82 minutes the visitors came agonisingly close once more. A ball flashed across the six-yard box, evading everyone before falling to Harry Prince, whose close-range effort was well saved by the Earls Colne goalkeeper.
Another substitution followed late on as Keiran McGowan replaced Kelly Nwaehi, but despite sustained pressure in the closing stages, the breakthrough would not come.
The match ended scoreless, a frustrating outcome for the Rocks who dominated long spells and created the better chances. With a little more composure in the final third, the visitors could easily have taken all three points. Nonetheless, the draw represents another positive step forward as the club continues to work towards its goal.
Final Score: Earls Colne 0-0 East Thurrock CFC
Line up:
Tommy Bruley
Harry Salter
Harry Daly
Freddie Barrett
Tommy Barnacle
Kieron Miles
Harry Prince ©
Kelly Nwaehi
Bailey Morris
Zac Russell
Lewis Rowe