East Thurrock Community FC 3, Thorpe Athletic 2

ROCKS maintained their 100 per cent start to the season, with a third win thanks to a late goal – played out in front of a crowd of 178.

The hosts started off brightly, with multiple attempts on the visitor's goal. In the opening 10 minutes Thorpe were unable to get close to the hosts, who applied lots of high and intense pressure on the ball.

Multiple East Thurrock attackers managed to get in and around the box looking for an opener, causing the visiting defenders to panic and make silly challenges.

Their style of play was rewarded as Harry Prince was fouled inside the box, winning a penalty which he converted.

After this the visitors seemed to wake up a bit and began to create chances of their own. After winning a corner, scrappy play in the box allowed them to equalise, not too long after going behind.

The rest of the half remained even between the two sides until just before half time, when one of the visiting attackers was able to take the ball around Tommy Bruley and he tapped the ball into an empty net to give Thorpe a 1-2 lead at the break.

As the second half got under way, East Thurrock continued their attacking style of play and applied relentless pressure onto the Thorpe goal.

This caused the back line to make mistakes which the rocks picked up on. The intense pressure paid off and the Rocks were able to square the game thanks to a goal from Tommy Barnacle.

This goal seemed to awaken something inside of the hosts as they repeatedly went close to taking the lead; with shots from Lewis Rowe and Kieran Case going just wide of the post. It seemed all the effort would be for nothing as Thorpe were able to break and get a clean shot on goal.

However, Rocks' keeper Bruley pulled off a tremendous save to keep the score level.

Just two minutes later Owen Dixie was able to get completely through on goal, following a mix up from the visitors from a free kick.

He kept his composure to slot the ball past the visiting keeper to give the Rocks a 3-2 lead right at the death, securing the three points and maintain their 100% start to the season.

LINEUP: 1 Tommy Bruley, 5 Faith Segemani, 6 Marcus Bella, 8 Timmy Barnacle, 10 Kieran Miles, 11 Bailey Morris, 12 Zac Bussel, 16 Kieran Case, 17 Joey Purdy, 20 Harry Prince (c), 21 Harry Salter.

SUBS: 2 Lewis Gardener, 3 Louis Sharkey, 14 Lewis Rowe, 15 Taylor Girling, 19 Owen Dixie.

Next up is a Bank Holiday Monday home game on Monday, 25 August against Sudbury Sports, who also have a perfect record of three wins from three. Kick-off at 13:30.