Brightlingsea Regent 1, East Thurrock United 2

THE East Thurrock managerial partnership of Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace enjoyed their first victory since taking over the Rocks on a cold wet night at Brightlingsea.

The visitors, who were the last team to lift the BBC Essex Senior Cup before vtwo seasons of covid-interrupted football, were the dominant side throughout and the scoreline is not a real reflection of the game.

It was the Rocks who had the first sighter on the home side's goal when Ehizojie Onoabhagne, making his debut headed over a cross from Johnny Ashman after just four minutes.

After 12 minutes a free kick taken by Jake Gordon, fizzed past the upright and the Rocks were playing good football with nothing to show for it.

Alex Hernandez then shot wide and followed this by seeing his header after a neat cross from Ashman cleared for a corner. The Rocks continued to press and search for the deserved opening goal, but all to no avail, with Ben Wyss firing his effort into the side netting.

The first real attack from the home side came after thirty six minutes when Abdishhakur Farah and Brett Munyard combined well only to see Arthur Janata foil the latter's attempt on goal.

After 42 minutes, the Rocks deservedly took the lead. A cross from Ashman wasn't cleared and Ollie Spooner, making his full debut managed to prod the ball home.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first. Hernandez, saw his effort go wide and then Gordon managed to screw his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.

Tom Barton saw his fierce effort deflected for a corner, and then Charlie Turner the home custodian brilliantly tipped over a good effort from Wyss. Spooner then rattled the upright, before a brilliant effort on the turn after 75 minutes, saw Hernandez deservedly make it 2-0.

Janata made a good save from Valter Cachicote Da Rocha and Munford somehow missed scoring from the rebound.

Brightlingsea did manage to grab a goal back in the 82nd minute after Da Rocha and Martyn Lacey tackled each other for the ball and it ballooned up into the net, over the stranded Janata.