Harold Hill 1, East Thurrock Community FC 0

THE visitors had an early chance to open the scoring in this BBC Essex Saturday Premier Cup tie when they advanced into the opposition box. However the shot ended up on the wrong side of the post.

After this the home side enjoyed a lot of the ball and had multiple attempts at goal, the closest going just wide. 

The Rocks had a few chances of their own, but unfortunately none of them really tested the Harold Hill keeper.

However, the visitors did come close to scoring when Harry Prince was played through, but the home keeper was able to come of his line and claim the ball.

Towards the end of the half the visitors came close to scoring, boasting a lot of possession in the final third, but this wouldn't result in anything of note because of the poor quality of the final passes, resulting in a turnover in possession. The half time whistle blew shortly after and the game went into the interval goalless. 

The hosts started the second half well with a long shot which was stopped well by goalkeeper Jamal Kuku. Harold Hill then came close again with another shot going just wide. It seemed like neither team were going to score, with the visitors unable to get a decent shot away, with almost every shot being blocked by the home side. 

The hosts came close again when a strike looked like it was curling into the top left corner. However, the score remained 0-0 as the shot was saved beautifully by Kuku. 

The closest the Rocks came to scoring in the second half was a header from Harry Salter which was caught comfortably by the Harold Hill keeper. 

East Thurrock thought they may have had an opportunity to open the scoring when they won a corner late on, but things unfortunately didn't go to plan with the corner not beating the first man, which then started a counterattack for the hosts.

This quick transition caught the away side off guard and Harold Hill were finally able to beat Kuku, slotting the ball into the bottom left corner to go 1-0 up. 

Rocks kept looking for a goal right up until the death, but it never came, resulting in a 1-0 defeat and an early exit from the competition. 

Next for East Thurrock CFC is an away match in the Essex and Suffolk Border League Premier Division against second placed Kings Park Rangers on Saturday, 16 November at 2pm.

Starting Lineup:

1 Jamal Kuku

2 Lewis Gardener

4 Reiss Hatwell

5 Faith Segemani

7 Bobby Reeman

8 Ray Snares

10 Kieran Miles

11 Bailey Morris 

13 Jack Coventry

20 Harry Prince

21 Harry Salter

Subs: 3 Jack Adams, 6 Kieron Case, 14 Adam Knight, 16 Iziengbe Ikponmwosa-Ikuero, 19 Danyal Bissessur.