The game kicked off and early on it seemed like the visitors were the most likely to score. They kept the ball in the opposition half and didn’t let Thorpe Athletic have possession for very long. They came close to scoring with a penetrative pass in behind the host’s back line, however, nothing came of the opportunity.
East Thurrock piled on the pressure and had a golden opportunity when the home keeper missed the ball as it rolled towards him. Luckily for him, he was able to clear the ball under pressure to save any further embarrassment. After this, the home team started to grow into the game and it seemed certain that they were going to score after they beat Bruley but fortunately, a goal line clearance kept the score at 0-0. This would soon change as two minutes later the hosts scored to put themselves in front. Almost immediately they nearly added a second, but luckily for the rocks the shot hit the woodwork and the ball was cleared. Thorpe Athletic would continue to control the game up until half time where the teams would go in at 1-0.
The second half was much more one sided, with East Thurrock keeping the host’s opportunities to a minimum and they fought to try and find an equaliser. 10 minutes into the half the visitors had a decent chance to score, however it wasn’t to be. There weren’t many chances in the half up until Harry Prince went agonisingly close on the volley, which only just went over the bar. The travelling side again came close to scoring with a header which went in the wrong side of the post. Just two minutes later East Thurrock one more came inches from equalising, but were denied by a brilliant save from the Thorpe goalkeeper.
The visiting team had what seemed like a final opportunity to score with a free kick when Ross Dixie was brought down on the left side of the box. Harry Prince was the one to take the kick and it went flying into the top right hand corner sending the players and fans into a frenzy, piled up in celebration of the last minute goal. However, it seemed like it meant nothing as the home side went on to score to pull themselves back into the lead with only a minute remaining.
As the game kicked off again at 2-1, East Thurrock got one final free kick. The ball was floated into the box and went behind for a corner in the dying seconds of the now suddenly incredibly exciting game. Goalkeeper Tommy Bruley stepped into the box, the ball was played into the box and Bruley jumped up higher than the rest and scored another Rocks equaliser to sent everyone crazy for the second time in 5 minutes, just as the referee blew the final whistle. The celebrations were incredible as both players and fans spilled onto the pitch in a massive pile. The game ended 2-2 with 3 goals in the last 5 minutes, giving the visitors a well deserved point on the road.
Match report by Callum Rudman
LINEUP:
1 Tommy Bruley
3 Louis Sharkey
6 Reiss Hatwell
7 Bobby Reeman
8 Joey Purdy
9 Bailey Morris
10 Kieron Miles
13 Jack Coventry
15 Harry Cowlbeck
20 Harry Prince
21 Harry Salter
SUBS:
5 Lewis Gardener
12 Ross Dixie
14 Iziengbe Ikponmwosa-Ikuero
18 John Coventry
19 Owen Dixie
