East Thurrock Community FC 2–1 Southend Manor (10.10.26)
Attendance: 141
East Thurrock Community FC made it FIVE league wins in a row! In the most dramatic fashion, as a stunning 96th-minute strike from Lewis Rowe secured all three points against Southend Manor at Rookery Hill.
In a game that had everything from missed chances and bookings to late drama, The Rocks looked set to share the spoils after the visitors grabbed a 90th-minute equaliser. However, Lewis Rowe had other ideas, producing a moment of magic deep into stoppage time to send the Rookery Hill faithful into absolute pandemonium!
The opening exchanges were scrappy, with neither side able to establish much rhythm. The first real sight of goal came after eight minutes when Max Seymour comfortably collected a tame effort from the edge of the box.
A minute later, Harry Salter became the first player to enter the referee’s notebook following a late challenge.
The Rocks began to find their feet, and in the 11th minute, Tommy Barnacle won possession high up the pitch before Lewis released Reiss Lowe down the flank. His cross found Fortune Motobaluti at the back post, but the resulting effort sailed over the bar.
The visitors picked up their first yellow card on 16 minutes following a late tackle on Lewis.
East Thurrock continued to search for an opener. On 25 minutes, some neat play involving Dylan Sanham and Tommy released Harry Prince through on goal, but his effort was off target, with the linesman’s flag already raised.
Two minutes later, Bobby Reeman and Southend Manor’s number 17 were both booked following a scuffle. From the resulting free kick, the ball fell kindly to Prince, whose volley was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.
The Rocks were enjoying some promising moments going forward, with Lewis and Tommy combining well down the left on 32 minutes, only for the resulting curling effort to drift narrowly wide.
Southend Manor had a golden opportunity of their own on 38 minutes but failed to capitalise from just six yards out.
The Rocks were then forced into an early substitution when Reiss went down injured in the 41st minute, with Joe Callender coming on in his place.
Before the break, Lewis Rowe rose to meet Tommy’s cross, but his header failed to trouble the keeper. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Prince held the ball up well inside the area before laying it off to Albert Hart, whose effort flew high and wide.
Despite opportunities at both ends, the sides headed into the break with the scores level.
Half-time: East Thurrock Community FC 0–0 Southend Manor
East Thurrock emerged for the second half looking determined to find a breakthrough.
Just three minutes after the restart, Tommy reacted quickest to a loose ball, but his left-footed strike went wide of the near post.
Bobby tried his luck from distance on 55 minutes, although his speculative effort failed to find the target.
A minute later, a clever clipped ball over the top found Joe, who nodded it beyond the defence before seeing his effort slide agonisingly past the post.
But The Rocks would not have to wait much longer!
Tommy drove into the penalty area from the right, showing great determination before drilling a dangerous ball across the face of goal. Joe was perfectly positioned to tap home into an empty net and give East Thurrock a deserved lead!
ETCFC 1–0 Southend Manor
The visitors almost responded immediately, with a frantic goalmouth scramble inside The Rocks’ penalty area on the hour mark. Somehow, the ball stayed out of the net!
The game began to open up as Southend Manor pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
On 69 minutes, Bobby powered through midfield but couldn’t quite pick out Prince with his through ball.
Lewis Rowe then came close to doubling the advantage on 77 minutes, curling an effort towards goal from the edge of the box, only for the Southend Manor goalkeeper to produce a save.
At the other end, Max was called into action just two minutes later when a well-weighted pass sent a Southend player through on goal. The Rocks’ shot-stopper stood firm, making an important save to preserve the narrow lead.
Max was subsequently shown a yellow card on 81 minutes following a foul on the edge of the penalty area, while the Southend Manor goalkeeper also entered the referee’s notebook four minutes later for time-wasting.
As the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, The Rocks looked to be closing in on another hard-fought league victory.
But there was a sting in the tail.
In the 90th minute Southend Manor equalised! The visitors found a late leveller to make it 1–1, leaving East Thurrock facing the prospect of dropping two valuable points.
Yet The Rocks refused to give up.
Just two minutes into stoppage time, Salter almost restored the lead with a thunderous volley that flew narrowly wide of the post.
And then came the moment that sent Rookery Hill wild.
In the 96th minute with virtually the final action of the game, the ball ricocheted out to Lewis Rowe on the edge of the penalty area. Lewis needed no second invitation. He struck the ball sweetly, sending an unstoppable effort beyond the goalkeeper and into the back of the net!
ETCFC 2–1 SOUTHEND MANOR
The celebrations erupted, the crowd went wild, and yes… THE BACKFLIP WAS BACK!
A truly sensational way to snatch all three points!
The final whistle confirmed another huge result for East Thurrock Community FC, who have now recorded five consecutive league wins!
It wasn’t always pretty, and Southend Manor certainly made The Rocks work for every inch, but the determination to keep battling until the very last kick proved decisive.
Full-time: East Thurrock Community FC 2–1 Southend Manor
FIVE LEAGUE WINS IN A ROW. THE ROCKS KEEP ROCKING!
Written by Claire Thatcher