East Thurrock community FC 1, Stanway Pegasus Reserves 2

SATURDAY (7 September) proved to be a very frustrating day for East Thurrock as they lost at home in the Essex and Suffolk Border League Premier Division to Stanway Pegasus Reserves in a scrappy encounter at Wyldecrest.

A solid turnout with 152 Rocks supporters arrived hoping for the first win of the season but it was the visitors who applied the early pressure and it took a good save from Rocks' keeper Tommy Bruley to keep the scores level.

Despite this, it was East Thurrock with the biggest chance which fell to Danny Greaves whose attempt went wide of the post. East Thurrock would pay for this as Stanway scored on the counterattack in the 24th minute. The Rocks responded well to this as they created several chances including a shot from captain Ray Snares that went just wide of the post.

In the end, their persistence paid off as Harry Prince scored in the 36th minute, rounding the goalkeeper and putting it into the back of the net, bringing the hosts a well-deserved equaliser. Another chance went begging for East Thurrock as Prince rounded the goalkeeper again but a last-ditch clearance prevented the hosts going into the lead.

Once again the visitors started the half faster with a flurry of chances but Bruley stood in their way again. Their pressure was finally rewarded as they retook the lead with 20 minutes to go.

The Rocks were given a lifeline as Stanway were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute for a stamp on Ross Dixie after the referee consulted his linesman. Cheered on by the Rocks supporters, they turned the screw on the visitors without finding what would have been a deserved equaliser. 

In the 85th minute the now entertaining game took another twist as Louis Sharkey was sent into the sin bin by the referee. Despite Stanway hitting the post on the break, East Thurrock pushed for an equaliser but just couldn't break down the stubborn resistance.

It was an improved performance by the Rocks which they can take into next Saturday's game against Barnston at Wyldecrest.

Rocks' next game is Saturday, 14 September, 3pm kick-off against Barnston.

Rocks lineup:

1 Tommy Bruley

3 Louis Sharkey

4 Ray Snares

6 Harry Salter

7 Bailey Morris

8 Bobby Reeman

9 Kieran Case

10 Danny Greaves

16 Harry Cowlbeck

19 Owen Dixie

20 Harry Prince

Subs: 2 Ross Dixie, 5 Faith Segamani, 12 Jack Adams, 15 Danyal Bissessur, 17 Elton Gjonbala

Attendance: 152

Full Match Rewatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldDzZsmHGoI

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LqYa7RHRpU

Games are also broadcast live for free on Veo Live