Sudbury Sports 0, East Thurrock Community FC 2

ROCKS delivered a composed, disciplined and decisive away performance to claim a statement victory in Saturday's (24 January) top of the table Essex and Suffolk Border League clash to return to the summit.

The Suffolk hosts arguably had the better of the early exchanges, pinning Rocks back for long spells and keeping the ball in the defensive third. 

However, despite the home side's possession, Rocks keeper Tommy Bruley remained largely untroubled between the sticks, dealing comfortably with the halfchances that came his way.

Tommy Barnacle was the visitor's main outlet throughout the opening stages and on 12 minutes he burst through the middle, only to drag his effort wide. 

He repeated the trick on 24 minutes with an even more impressive solo run, this time forcing the keeper into a save.

Those moments sparked the Rocks into life, and a very impressive Kieran McGowan was beginning to cause the Sudbury defence issues with some positive runs and tidy touches, which was helping to shift the momentum.

The breakthrough arrived on 31 minutes. Barnacle, again electric down the right, drove to the by-line and whipped a low cross into the sixyard box. McGowan timed his arrival into the box perfectly, to guide the ball home and send the travelling support wild.

The Rocks were starting to impose their authority now, and just before the interval, Barnacle powered forward once more, setting up a hugely impressive Bobby Reeman for a volley that flew over. 

The whistle followed, with East Thurrock deservedly heading into the break with the lead.

Rocks came out firing in the second half. Within two minutes of the restart, Barnacle harried the Sudbury keeper into a mistake, the loose ball falling to McGowan who agonisingly placed his effort just wide.

Moments later, it was Bailey Morris' turn to go close. McGowan's strength in the box created the opening, but the firsttime strike drifted past the same post. The visitors were in full control and pushing hard for the second.

On 65 minutes, Bobby Reeman unleashed a superb effort from the edge of the D, only to be denied by a stunning save.

A series of substitutions followed as the Rocks looked to manage the game and the clincher arrived in the 89th minute and it was worth the wait. 

Zac Bussell won the ball brilliantly on the halfway line, surged forward into the box and fired a powerful effort that the keeper could only parry. He reacted quickest to bury the rebound and seal the points in style.

It was a statement win away from home, against their title rivals, that will give Rocks a real boost heading into the run-in.

Rocks: Tommy Bruley, Faith Segemani, Bobby Reeman, Kieran McGowan, Kieron Miles, Zac Bussell, Tommy Barnacle, Flynn Monk, Bailey Morris, Kris Newby, Harry Prince©.

Subs: Joey Purdy, Harry Salter, Ross Barnes, Lewis Gardener and Louis Sharkey.

Rocks continue their title challenge at home to Tiptree Heath next Saturday (31 Januaruy).