FC Baresi 1, East Thurrock Community FC 2

EAST Thurrock made a dream start to their Thurlow Nunn (Eastern Counties Football League) Division One South campaign with an opening day win (Saturday, 25 July) at Wodson Park in Ware, thanks to a dramatic late goal that sparked celebrations on and off the pitch from the Rocks travelling contingent.

After a goalless first half the opening goal came after a strong run down the left flank by Lewis Rowe, which was finished with a low, angled shot past the home keeper.

FC Baresi always looked good on the ball and with six minutes remaining a sequence of passes opening up the hesitant home defence and Richard Arhin virtually walked the ball into an unguarded net.

But that wasn't the end of the story and, eight minutes into added time Rocks produced some good passing of their own and an incisive through ball enabled Freddie Barrett to beat the offside trap and after a couple of touches to slotted the ball home.

ETCFC: Max Seymour, Zachary Bussell, Flynn Monk, Marcus Adebayo-Bella, Bobby Reeman, Kieron Miles, Kieron Miles, Lewis Rowe, Fortune Maxime Ndjoli Motobaluti, Albert Hart, Aleem Balogun and Harry Salter. Subs: Thomas Barnacle, Freddie Barrett, Kiyenne Larochelle, Daniel Nakipov-Getmansky and Joey Purdy.

Rocks return to action with a first competitive fixture at Rookery Hill on Tuesday (28 July) when they entertain Basildon Town.