East Thurrock United 1, Bishops Stortford 2

TWO returning Rocks combined at either end of the pitch to thwart East Thurrock in tonight's (Tuesday, 19 October) Isthmian Premier clash at Rookery Hill.

Things looked good for the hosts after just 12 minutes when a stunning strike from Johnny Ashman put East Thurrock in front but on the half hour Bishops drew level when Ryan Charles' strike took a wicked deflection to give Arthur Janata in the home goal no chance.

East Thurrock performed creditably after the resumption and created some great chances with Alex Hernandez hitting the inside of the upright following a corner and the rebound came back to Ashman whose shot was deflected behind for another corner. Ashman had earlier been denied by a great save from former Rocks keeper Jack Giddens. who got down well to keep his low 54th minute shot out.

And it was another ex Rock, striker Frankie Merrifield who struck the winner for Bishops with just two minutes of normal time left when he fired the ball in off the crossbar from a tight angle. The visitors held on through five added minutes to become the first away side to win at Rookery Hill this season.