Springfield 1, East Thurrock Community FC 1

THIS Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Division clash was hardly an eventful encounter but East Thurrock battled hard to remain unbeaten and climb to the top of the table with the point.

It was the first ever meeting between the teams and with both sides unbeaten, it was a game that could have gone either way.

The visitors drew first blood after 11 minutes through Ross Barnes. Barnes collected the ball 30 yards from goal, created a yard of space and fired into the bottom corner, a fabulous goal to open his account for the season.

The lead was short-lived, with some intricate build up down the right leading to a cross which was not cleared being finished by Bodi Peek to level the game up.

The side in amber and black had a pair of chances before the break, with Harry Prince coming close with a free kick from 25 yards. Just a minute later it appeared that Ross Barnes had broke through, but his effort was blocked by the covering defender.

The Rocks started the second half the fastest, and five minutes in thought they had a penalty, as the defender went through the back of Ross Barnes inside the area, but nothing was given.

Midway through the half, Tommy Bruley had to make two crucial saves within five minutes of each other, one save from a swerving effort from 20 yards and another from a header from six yards to keep the scores level.

In the end the game fizzled out into a draw, not before substitute Lewis Rowe nearly won it with a volley on the angle but he was denied by the keeper.

East Thurrock's perfect start to the campaign is now over but it was a well earned point which has put them top of the table.

Next up they host Hatfield Peverel and will try and continue their strong start to the season.

Rocks: 1 Tommy Bruley, 14 Ray Snares, 16 Kieran Case, 2 Lewis Gardener, 12 Zac Bussell, 17 Joey Purdy, 7 Bobby Reeman, 9 Ross Barnes (11'), 20 Harry Prince, 8 Tom Barnacle, 21 Harry Salter