East Thurrock Community FC 1, Earls Colne 2

FOOTBALL returned to Rookery Hill on Saturday (18 July) when East Thurrock Community FC played host to Earls Colne in their first match at the former home of East Thurrock United.

Rocks, who have spent the past two season playing at the nearby Wyldecrest Club, have negotiated a deal with the ground owners to play at Rookery Hill until new facilities can be provided at Wyldecrest's Herd Lane facility.

There was a decent turn out for the friendly, ahead of the coming Thurlow Nunn First Division South season opener at FC Baresi next weekend.

Emotions ran high for supporters ahead of the game and Rocks dominated the opening stages of the match, with some free-flowing football, eventually rewarded when Harry Daly converted a penalty.

However, the visitors drew level with the last kick of the half – also from the penalty spot.

Rocks continued to have chances throughout the second half, striking the woodwork and going close several times but the profligacy cost them when Earls Colne got a winner in the last minutes from a counter attack.

East Thurrock's first home league game of the season at Rookery Hill will be against Basildon Town on Tuesday, 28 July.