Dedham Old Boys 0, East Thurrock Community FC 0

EAST Thurrock started Saturday's (29 March) Essex and Suffolk Border League Premier Division game on the front foot, keeping the ball in their opponents' half and getting forward.

They almost opened the scoring early on with a beautiful strike from Kieran Miles, but a wonderful save from the Dedham keeper tipped it over the bar. Soon after the Rocks got in again with a penetrating pass through the hosts' back line, only for the shot to drift wide.

Dedham pushed forward, looking to create a chance of their own, however, the visitors won back the ball and a well-placed cross was then delivered into the box, but the header was caught by the keeper. The visiting side kept up the pressure on the goal and had another shot shortly after, but that went wide.

The home side continued to grow into the game and got in behind the visitor's defence, leaving them with a great opportunity to score. Unfortunately for them, the shot was very tame and it was claimed by Tommy Bruley.

Bruley then played a beautiful ball over the top to Owen Dixie, but with just the keeper to beat, he was unable to direct his shot goalwards.

Just before half time it seemed certain that the hosts were going to score when they took the ball around keeper Bruley however the striker somehow managed to miss a completely open goal, putting the ball in the wrong side of the post.

The hosts started the second half strongly and had a number of chances, but they were unable to be clinical when it was needed, to the relief of the travelling fans.

As the half went on, the visitors started to get a foothold in the game again and it was their turn to put pressure on the goal, coming close with a header, which went just wide of the post. Ross Dixie almost scored with another headed attempt, but it went over the crossbar.

After this, both sides had chances of their own, but in truth, this had all the hallmarks of an end-of-season match and it seemed destined for a draw.

There was however one last chance right at the death when it seemed certain that Dedham were going to nick it when one of their attackers got in behind and went one-on-one with the Rocks keeper. But Owen Dixie was the hero of the moment as he sprinted down the pitch and put in a last ditch slide tackle to stop the hosts from snatching a win.

LINEUP: 1 Tommy Bruley, 2 Lewis Gardener, 3 Louis Sharkey, 5 Faith Segemani, 6 Harry Daly, 8 Joey Purdy, 9 Kieron Miles, 11 Bailey Morris, 16 Ross Barnes, 19 Owen Dixie, 21 Harry Salter. SUBS: 7 Bobby Reeman, 10 Danny Greaves, 13 John Coventry, 14 Ross Dixie.

Next up is an away match against Sudbury Sports on Saturday, 5 April.