East Thurrock CFC 6, AFC Pegasus Colchester 1

WET and misty conditions couldn't dampen spirits, as the league's pace setters marched on in style against AFC Pegasus Colchester. And a Rocks' legend returned home!

The hosts, who handed a debut to new signing Kris Newby, a familiar face to many Rocks' supporters, having played over 200 times for East Thurrock Utd, started brightly, creating early chances in challenging conditions. 

Indeed, the home side were nearly rewarded in the fifth minute, when Kieran McGowan surged up the pitch and found Harry Prince at the byline, but his shot to the bottom right was well saved by the keeper. 

Just minutes later, Lewis Gardener lofted a perfect through ball for Tom Barnacle, whose volley flew over the bar.

The match's intensity was clear, with Pegasus's number 6 picking up a yellow card for a late sliding challenge on Zac Bussell in the 13th minute.

Despite the Rocks' early dominance, it was the visitors who struck first. In the 33rd minute, a speculative shot from range took a wicked deflection, looping over the goalkeeper and into the net, giving Pegasus a lead against the run of play.

Rocks responded just before half-time. A chaotic aerial battle in the box ended with Bobby Reeman's looping header finding the net, levelling the score at 1-1. The teams went into the break all square. 

The second half began with a bang. Straight from the restart, Lewis Rowe produced a moment of magic, weaving down the left, beating multiple defenders, and firing into the far side netting.

The visitors' frustrations grew, earning another yellow card in the 54th minute. The Rocks really started to press home their advantage, with a series of set pieces threatening further goals.

The floodgates opened in the final half-hour. In the 66th minute, Kieran Miles' flick hit the crossbar, but Tom Barnacle was on hand to volley home the rebound for 3-1. 

Five minutes later, a successful challenge on the visiting keeper left the ball at Salter's feet, and he calmly passed it into the net for 4-1.

Barnacle made it 5-1 in the 75th minute, capitalising on a defensive misjudgement, rounding the keeper, and finishing confidently. The scoring was rounded off in the 82nd minute with a low free kick from Joey Purdy that sneaked through the wall, via a deflection, and nestled in the bottom right corner.

(Attendance: 123)

Team: 

  1.  Tommy Bruley

  2.  Lewis Gardener

  3.   Louis Sharkey

7. Bobby Reeman

8. Tommy Barnacle

10. Kieran Miles

12. Zac Bussell

15. Kieran McGowan

16. Kris Newby

18. Lewis Rowe

20. Harry Prince

Subs:

4.   Harry Daly

5.   Faith Segemani

17. Joey Purdy

19. Owen Dixie

21. Harry Salter