East Thurrock Community FC 4–1 N W London
Attendance: 146
East Thurrock Community FC produced an excellent second-half display at Rookery Hill to secure all three points with a convincing 4–1 victory over N W London.
The visitors started the brighter of the two sides and called Tommy Bruley into action after 13 minutes. The Rocks keeper produced a superb reaction save, although the assistant referee’s flag was raised shortly afterwards.
Just three minutes later, Bruley was needed again, getting down well to keep out a low effort as N W London continued to apply the early pressure.
The visitors’ strong start eventually paid off in the 18th minute when their number 10 found the net to give N W London a 1–0 lead.
East Thurrock responded almost immediately. Harry Prince used his strength well inside the penalty area to hold off his marker, but his eventual effort could only find the side netting.
The Rocks were beginning to grow into the contest and deservedly drew level on the half-hour mark. A long free-kick was chipped into the penalty area and, after the ball bounced around inside the box, Bobby reacted quickest to fire home and make it 1–1.
With half-time approaching, East Thurrock completed the turnaround. The Rocks capitalised on a mistake in the visitors’ defence, with Prince flicking the ball on at the edge of the area. Tommy Barnacle was left in acres of space and made no mistake, finishing low past the goalkeeper to send ETCFC into the break with a 2–1 lead.
The Rocks carried their momentum into the second half. Within a minute of the restart, Barnacle broke quickly following a N W London corner and drove deep into opposition territory before trying his luck from distance, although the goalkeeper had the effort covered.
Barnacle continued to cause problems down the left and sent a dangerous low ball across goal in the 49th minute, but it ran just behind Prince.
Zac was shown a yellow card in the 54th minute before East Thurrock made their first change four minutes later, with Balogun replacing Larochelle. Walker then entered the action in place of Reeman on 63 minutes.
The Rocks should have extended their advantage in the 65th minute. Prince put the N W London defence under pressure and won possession in a dangerous position, but his attempt to slide the ball past the goalkeeper went narrowly off target.
Prince was replaced by Salter two minutes later, and the substitute almost made an immediate impact. Salter attempted an inventive flick at the near post in the 70th minute, only for the keeper to react just in time.
East Thurrock were now firmly on top. A minute later, Barnacle struck a fierce effort following a corner which looked destined for the top corner before sailing narrowly over.
The pressure finally told in the 72nd minute when the Rocks were awarded a penalty. Barnacle stepped up and powered the spot-kick home to claim his second goal of the afternoon and give ETCFC a commanding 3–1 lead.
Salter nearly added another soon afterwards when he spotted the goalkeeper off his line and tried his luck from range, but the keeper recovered just in time.
With five minutes remaining, the Rocks made their final changes as Adebayo-Bella and Callender replaced Barnacle and Hart.
There was still time for one final goal.
Three minutes into stoppage time, Salter delivered a low cross from the right and Joe Callender arrived perfectly to tap home from close range, putting the finishing touch on an impressive evening at Rookery Hill.
Full Time: East Thurrock Community FC 4–1 N W London
Four goals, three points and another strong home performance from the Rocks in front of an excellent crowd of 146.
Up the Rocks!
Written by Claire Thatcher