East Thurrock Community FC 3, Sudbury Sports 2

SOMETHING had to give in today's (Monday, 25 August) Essex and Suffolk Border League Premier Division match-up at the Wyldecrest Sports Club in Corringham, as the last two sides with perfect records clashed, and the Rocks prevailed to maintain their winning start to the campaign.

Two wins in three days has made it a perfect bank holiday weekend for all Rocks' supporters, as they gather early momentum for the season in the blazing sunshine at the Herd Lane venue in front of an impressive crowd of 263.

The visitors started fast, with Tommy Bruley having to make a crucial save within four minutes to prevent an early Sudbury lead.

There would be an early goal, and it came for East Thurrock, with Kieron Miles winning the ball in the Sudbury half, and sliding through Tommy Barnacle who fired a shot into the near post to give the hosts a dream start.

The visitors were level after 27 minutes, with a long throw causing confusion in the area, with the effort smashed past Bruley to level the score.

However, the Rocks came fighting back, with a flurry of chances before the break with: Harry Salter close to converting from a Barnacle cross, Marcus Bella coming close with a header, and finally Harry Prince put an effort wide within a five minute period.

There was reward for this pressure in first half stoppage time, with a Kieron Miles free kick deflecting off a Sudbury player in the box for an own goal, regaining the lead for the hosts.

90 seconds into the second half, East Thurrock had a two goal lead. Barnacle carried the ball down the right wing, cut inside and picked out Salter who chested the ball down and side-footed the ball into the top corner to give him his third of the term and put the Rocks top of the league, and give them comfort in the game.

This would last for about 40 minutes in a relatively quiet second period, which was made uneasy as four minutes out from 90, Sudbury had a route back in, with a cross being headed into the net from six yards.

The Rocks continued to battle, with tired legs all over the pitch due to the exploits of Saturday, competing against a Sudbury team who had Saturday off after their match vs Pegasus Colchester was postponed.

The side in Amber and Black survived the onslaught to earn a fourth successive league win, ending the visitors' perfect start in the process.

It is now two statement victories in 3 days for the Rocks, who are only side left with a perfect record, and are up to second, only goal difference preventing them from leading the table.

They face another tough clash on Saturday (30 August) away to Springfield but the Rocks will be full of confidence that they can keep up this fast start to their second campaign.