Competition: Thurlow Nunn South
Venue: Rookery Hill
Attendance: 95
Rocks beaten 6–2 by Hoddesdon in an action-packed contest that remained level at half-time before the visitors took control after the break.
Hoddesdon created the first notable chance after 16 minutes, floating a corner towards the back post, but the resulting header sailed over the crossbar.
However, it was the home side opened the scoring in the 29th minute. Harry Daly delivered a free-kick to the right side of the back post, and Kieron Miles arrived right on cue to poke the ball into the net and give the Rocks the lead.
That advantage lasted only four minutes though and Hoddesdon responded with a well-placed free-kick into the top corner to make it 1–1.
Hoddesdon then struck the crossbar from a left-wing delivery in the 38th minute as they started to impose themselves onto the game. That said, the hosts immediately countered, only for the visitors’ defence to stop the attack with a foul.
Tommy Barnacle fired over following a corner three minutes later, while Lewis Rowe was unfortunate not to break clear in first-half stoppage time after winning a challenge against the last defender. The Rocks then had the ball in the net in the 47th minute, but the assistant referee raised the flag for offside.
The sides went into the interval level at 1–1, which, truth be told, probably suited the home side more.
Second Half
The Rocks restarted brightly and, in the 49th minute, worked the ball through the lines to Kieron Miles on the edge of the area. His persistence earned a corner, but it ultimately came to nothing.
The hosts made their first change a minute later, with Flynn Monk replacing Dan Nakipov-Getmansky. Unfortunately for the Rocks however, Hoddesdon moved ahead in the 56th minute when a player arrived unmarked at the back post to convert from a corner.
Harry Salter replaced Fortune Motobaluti shortly afterwards, before Albert Hart and Kiyenne Larochelle were introduced for Kieron Miles and Ashton Marson in the 68th minute, to introduce some fresh legs.
The changes couldn’t alter the course of the game and Hoddesdon extended their lead in the 81st minute and, after Abdul Adedayo replaced Harry Daly, added another four minutes later to make it 4–1.
The Rocks refused to give up and pulled a goal back in the 88th minute. Barnacle drove forward down the right before finding Tommy, who tucked a low finish into the far corner, offering a glimmer of hope to the home supporters.
For a moment it seemed the glimmer may become something greater, when Tommy Barnacle almost created another goal in the 90th minute, sending a through ball towards Zac, who came within inches of reaching it. However, Hoddesdon struck twice more in stoppage time, with two efforts from range, to complete a 6–2 victory.
Despite a competitive first half and Tommy Barnacle’s late goal, the Rocks were ultimately punished by Hoddesdon’s clinical finishing in the second half.
Final Score: East Thurrock CFC 2-6 Hoddesdon Town