Written by Shaun Rudman
Gas Recreation v East Thurrock CFC
League: Essex and Suffolk Border League Premier Division
Venue: Bromley Road, Colchester
Rocks recover from early set back to claim 3 crucial points in title hunt
Gas Recreation made the brighter start and took a surprise lead on eight minutes after forcing a turnover in midfield, punishing the visitors before they had properly settled. The Rocks responded well and began to build momentum down the flanks, with Lewis Rowe central to much of the early threat. On 15 minutes he went close to an immediate equaliser with a low, driven effort that looked destined for the corner before being hooked off the line, and three minutes later his early cross created another opening as Freddie Barrett met it first time and tested the goalkeeper low to his right.
With the visitors now imposing sustained pressure, it felt a matter of time before they found a way through. Freddie Barrett flashed a 30-yard drive wide on 35 minutes, but the pressure finally told in first-half stoppage time. Lewis Rowe delivered deep, the initial challenge in the area failed to clear the danger, and Barrett took advantage of the loose ball to strike a composed finish in from the edge of the box for 1–1.
The second half began with the Rocks upping the tempo, and the game’s decisive moment arrived on 57 minutes when the hosts were reduced to ten men following a second yellow card. The visitors capitalised almost immediately: a free-kick struck the post, the rebound sparked a scramble in the six-yard box, and Freddie Barrett reacted quickest to prod home from close range on 59 minutes, although there might be a counter claim from Harry Salter who felt his initial touch in the mayhem had already crossed the line. This would prove to be one of Salter’s final contributions, being replaced by Tommy Barnacle on 63 minutes.
With the extra man, the Rocks looked to make the advantage count and on 70 minutes Joe Barrett and Bailey Morris were introduced for Harry Daly and Zac Bussell as the visitors tried to turn control into a decisive third goal. The away side were dominating possession and Gas were now looking like a spent force and went down to 9 men, following a second yellow card for their number 17. On 82 minutes Bobby Reeman came on for Harry Prince, who had staked his claim for man of the match, with an excellent performance. It was now a case of seeing the game out and claiming the win.
Freddie Barrett nearly completed his hat-trick late on, spotting the goalkeeper off his line and attempting a lob that went just over the bar on 88 minutes. Moments later, the third arrived to settle it: a cross from the left picked out Tommy Barnacle unmarked at the far post and he guided a header home on 89 minutes to seal the 3 points. The final substitution of the game arrived shortly after, with Rafa Ghitulescu replacing Kieron Miles in stoppage time as the Rocks saw out the final moments and completed a deserved comeback win and maintain their title aspirations.
Final score: Gas Recreation 1-3 East Thurrock CFC
Team:
1. Tommy Bruley
4. Harry Daly
6. Marcus Bella
10. Keiron Miles
12. Zac Bussell
14. Flynn Monk
16. Freddie Barrett
17. Joey Purdy
18. Lewis Rowe
20. Harry Prince ©
21. Harry Salter
Subs:
2. Rafa Ghitulescu
5. Joe Barrett
7. Bobby Reeman
8. Tommy Barnacle
11. Bailey Morris