A bad day at the office as Rocks fall to first league defeat since November
East Thurrock Community FC 2, Brightlingsea Town 5
EAST Thurrock started Saturday's (22 February) Essex and Suffolk Border League Premier Division clash perfectly with a goal in the opening few minutes. A cross from Ikponmwosa-Ikuero allowed Reiss Hatwell to slot the ball into an empty net.
The hosts didn't stop there and immediately looked to increase their lead.
Well-worked passes allowed the Rocks to stay on top and create more chances for themselves, with one of these coming close, however the shot was claimed by the keeper.
Unfortunately for the home side Brightlingsea drew level with a relatively undeserved goal after a mix up in the penalty box. After this the visiting side kicked into gear and started creating more opportunities, almost taking the lead, only to be denied by a goal line clearance.
The game had stared to even out with both sides looking to put their noses in front. The hosts came agonisingly close when Bailey Morris beat the keeper, but hit the bar. Then, agonisingly, just before the half time whistle, Brightlingsea scored to put themselves 2-1 up at the break.
The second half had only just begun when the visitors got another goal after just a few seconds, with the hosts seemingly still in the dressing room. Unfortunately, things didn't improve, with the home side half asleep, the away side capitalised by scoring yet again to go 4-1 up, with only four minutes on the second half clock. The game had slipped away in the blink of an eye.
Shortly afterwards tempers began to flare and a few of the players started to push each other around after a supposed foul. The referee allowed the Brightlingsea player who started the scuffle to get away with no consequence and decided to book Bobby Reeman who was the one who was pushed in the first place.
Things then went from bad to worse for the Rocks, with the visiting side scoring a fifth soon after.
East Thurrock seemed to grow back into the game after this and started attacking again, looking to try and get something out of the encounter.
Their efforts were rewarded with a goal from Kieron Miles to bring the score to 2-5. The Rocks came close again when Ross Barnes took the ball around the keeper, yet a visiting defender was able to block off the angle.
That proved to be the final chance.
LINEUP: 1 Tommy Bruley, 2 Lewis Gardener, 3 Louis Sharkey, 4 Ray Snares, 6 Harry Daly, 7 Bobby Reeman, 9 Iziengbe Ikponmwosa-Ikuero, 10 Kieron Miles, 11 Bailey Morris, 14 Reiss Hatwell, 15 Harry Cowlbeck.
SUBS: 5 Kyle Smith, 8 Joey Purdy, 16 Ross Barnes, 19 Owen Dixie, 21 Harry Salter.
Next up is a home game against White Notley on Saturday, 1 March.
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