East Thurrock United 2, Gorleston 0

A QUICKFIRE double, scored early in Saturday's Isthmian North clash, set the Rocks on the way to another three points, the goals coming from an unexpected source with young defender Ben Steward, currently on loan from Isthmian Premier neighbours Aveley, firing in his first Rocks goal on 14 minutes, quickly following it with another just four minutes later.

Rocks took the game to the visitors from the kick off, testing Gorleston keeper Jake Jessup on several occasions and earning a number of early corners.

And it was from one such deadball situation that Rocks opened the scoring as the visitors failed to clear, leaving Steward with time and space to nip in and head past Jessup.

After Brian Moses had gone close, Rocks won a corner on the right. Keeper Jessup couldn't get any distance on his punch, and after a couple of efforts were blocked, Steward was johnny-on-the-spot, to curl a delightful left foot strike into the far corner.

The keeper was maybe fortunate to receive just a yellow as he raced out of his box to floor Moses when the big striker burst forward.

The Norfolk visitors came more into the game as half time came and went, working hard to close Rocks down, but without causing the Rocks defence any serious concerns themselves.

A combination of gritty defending and a fair slice of good fortune prevented Rocks from adding to the score. Harry Hope left Jessup standing with a trademark free kick only for the ball to find the post, while Moses was twice denied by last-gasp blocks by a stranded keeper.

Gorleston must have realised it just wasn't going to be their day when, in the closing minutes they managed to squander a completely open goal.

Finally, kudos to referee Chris Poole who went about his job calmly and without fuss, nipping any possible flashpoint situations in the bud. As one die hard fan commented after the game, "he went practically unnoticed, and that's a real compliment to him". Made a refreshing change it must be said.