East Thurrock Community FC 2, Hoddesdon 6

IF East Thurrock Community FC weren't already aware of how much of a challenge lies ahead of them in their inaugural step six campaign, Saturday's home drubbing by Hoddesdon will have certainly opened some eyes.

Two wins in their opening games gave Rocks a great start to their Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties South campaign but they are now mere memories after three straight defeats.

The latest, at Rookery Hill on Saturday (8 August) came after the hosts had taken a 29th minute lead.

Chances had come and gone at both ends before a free kick was drifted into the Hoddesdon box by Harry Daly and Kieron Miles arrived right on cue at the back post to poke the ball into the net and give the Rocks the lead.

That advantage lasted only four minutes though and Hoddesdon responded with a well-placed free-kick into the top corner from Connor Bolton to make it 1–1.

Hoddesdon then struck the crossbar from a left-wing delivery in the 38th minute as they started to impose themselves onto the game. That said, the hosts immediately countered, only for the visitors' defence to stop the attack with a foul.

Tommy Barnacle fired over following a corner three minutes later, while Lewis Rowe was unfortunate not to break clear in first-half stoppage time after winning a challenge against the last defender.

Rocks then had the ball in the net in the 47th minute, but the assistant referee raised the flag for offside.

The sides went into the interval level at 1–1, which, truth be told, probably suited the home side more.

Rocks started the second half brightly and, in the 49th minute, worked the ball through the lines to Miles on the edge of the area. His persistence earned a corner, but it ultimately came to nothing.

The hosts made their first change a minute later, with Flynn Monk replacing Dan Nakipov-Getmansky. Unfortunately for the Rocks however, Hoddesdon moved ahead in the 56th minute when Jack Gibbs arrived unmarked at the back post to convert from a corner.

Harry Salter replaced Fortune Motobaluti shortly afterwards, before Albert Hart and Kiyenne Larochelle were introduced for Miles and Ashton Marson in the 68th minute, to introduce some fresh legs.

The changes couldn't alter the course of the game and Hoddesdon extended their lead in the 81st minute with Bolton's second goal and, after Abdul Adedayo replaced Harry Daly for Rocks, Freddie Wilkinson added another four minutes later to make it 4–1.

Rocks refused to give up and pulled a fine individual goal back in the 88th minute. Barnacle drove forward down the right before outpacing a defender and tucking the ball home into the far corner from an acute angle, offering a glimmer of hope to the home supporters.

For a moment it seemed the glimmer may become something greater, when Barnacle almost created another goal in the 90th minute, sending a through ball towards Zac Bussell, who came within inches of reaching it. However, Hoddesdon struck twice more in stoppage time, with two efforts from range from substitutes Reggie Pegrum and Connor Casey, to complete a 6–2 victory that leaves Rocks tenth in the table.

One memory that will stay fresh from Saturday's defeat was the naming of one of the two 'bus stop' stands at Rookery Hill in recognition of the support and contribution from long time supporter Dave Fenn.

Dave Fenn flanked by chairman Jono Edwards and vice-chair Jason Evans.

Rocks' next match is their FA Vase debut encounter at Rookery Hill next Saturday (15 August) when they will entertain Letchworth Garden City Eagles.