Written by Shaun Rudman
Essex and Suffolk Border League Premier Division
Venue: Wyldecrest Sports Country Club
Rocks claim 3 vital points in the spring sunshine
In what were perfect spring conditions, in front of another healthy crowd, the Rocks put on a show to take all 3 points and maintain the pressure on the league leaders. The hosts began brightly in what was the penultimate home game of the season, with a high press and looking to get on the front foot early. That early pressure paid off after 12 minutes when Lewis Rowe darted into the area, cut the ball back and was brought down by the trailing leg of the defender, leaving the official with no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Harry Prince kept his nerve to tuck away the penalty and put the Rocks 1–0 up.
From this point the game opened up as the visitors tried to respond and some sloppy play from Rocks gave them encouragement. Although chances came at both ends, clear openings were scarce until the 26th minute, when the hosts struggled to clear their lines. The ball pinballed around the box and flashed across goal, but crucially no one could apply the finishing touch.
Play was briefly halted on 32 minutes as Freddie Barrett received treatment, but the interruption did little to slow the tempo. As half-time approached, Tommy Barnacle found a route down the right and drove a fierce effort narrowly wide, before Harry Prince tested the goalkeeper from the edge of the box, forcing a fine stop. The resulting corner was chaos: another save from the keeper, then the ball ricocheted off both bar and post in a frantic scramble that somehow stayed out. Prince had one more sight of goal in stoppage time, his long-range attempt drifting wide, and the hosts went into the interval with a deserved 1–0 lead.
The second half began with a change, Ross Barnes introduced for Joe Barrett, and the home side continued to create the better moments. On 55 minutes another dangerous cut-back from Lewis Rowe picked out Harry Prince, but the first-time finish sailed over the bar. A further switch followed on 65 minutes when Kieran McGowan replaced Freddie Barrett, and the fresh legs soon helped the hosts take firm control.
On 70 minutes the game swung decisively. Tommy Barnacle collected possession in the opposition half, surged through on goal and calmly placed his finish into the left-hand side netting for 2–0. Three minutes later the hosts made their third substitution, with Lewis Gardener coming on for Zac Bussell, and the changes kept the pressure building. The third goal arrived on 78 minutes: Kieran McGowan clipped a teasing ball forward, Tommy Barnacle lifted it over the goalkeeper, and then nodded into the empty net to make it 3–0. With the match well under control late on, chances came to extend the score further, McGowan coming closest when a header drifted just over the bar, before the full-time whistle was blown.
Full-time: East Thurrock CFC 3-0 Alresford Colne Rangers
Attendance: 144
Team:
1. Tommy Bruley
5. Joe Barrett
7. Bobby Reeman
8. Tommy Barnacle
10. Kieron Miles
12. Zac Bussell
14. Flynn Monk
16. Freddie Barrett
18. Lewis Rowe
20. Harry Prince ©
21. Harry Salter
Subs:
2. Lewis Gardener
9. Ross Barnes
15. Kieran McGowan
17. Joey Purdy