Kingstonian 0, East Thurrock United 0

ROCKS kept a fourth clean sheet in five Bet Victor Isthmian League outings this evening (Wednesday, 29 January).

They spent much of the match fighting a hard fought rearguard action as the Ks dominated possession.

For one brief moment midway through the second half East Thurrock thought they had nicked a vital goal when captain Ryan Scott headed home from a corner but the referee ruled diminutive Mitchell Gilbey had blocked the hosts veteran keeper Rob Tolfrey as the cross came in. The ref might have had a point but any contact was no more or less physical than a great many challenges he had previously left unpunished across the park.

If Scott felt frustrated, spare a thought for Rocks keeper Jack Giddings who had a tremendous evening, pulling off a number of vital saved including one finger-tip touch that put a goal bound shot over the bar.

His reward was a barrage of foul-mouthed abuse from a section of the home supporters which went as far as meriting a warning on the PA system.

That unsportsmanlike behaviour apart it was a memorable evening for East Thurrock's tightly-knit squad who are establishing a reputation as a side that is very hard to beat.