East Thurrock Community FC 3, Athletic Newham 2

ROCKS secured a hard-fought three Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties South Division points at Rookery Hill on Saturday (3 October), moving into the top five after an entertaining five-goal encounter in front of a crowd of 144.

The match was dedicated to the memory of former secretary and groundsman Mick Stephens.

The visitors pushed Rocks onto the defensive from the off with several chances flashing across the face of Rocks goal before, in the fourth minute, a well worked moved exposed Max Seymour at his near post and the ball was slotted past him from close quarters.

The Rocks responded well and were back on level terms in the 13th minute. Reiss Lowe showed excellent close control before cheekily rolling the ball past the goalkeeper at his near post and tapping home.

The equaliser sparked ETCFC into life. The Rocks began to see more of the ball in midfield and started to pose an increasing threat going forward.

There was an early enforced change in the 27th minute when the injured Callum King was replaced by Joe Callender.

Just three minutes later, Dylan Sanham produced an excellent touch before sending a long ball into the path of Callender. He managed to get his effort away, although there was not quite enough power to trouble the goalkeeper.

ETCFC completed the turnaround in the 31st minute. Harry Prince delivered an inviting free kick from a wide position towards Marcus Adebayo-Bella, whose header forced the goalkeeper into action. The keeper managed to get a touch but could only divert the ball into the top corner.

Athletic Newham hit back shortly before the interval. In the 43rd minute, a low free kick was untouched as it bounced through a packed box and Seymour was unable to deal with it, possibly being unsighted.

The Rocks made a change at the break, with Fortune Motobaluti replacing Sanham.

ETCFC continued to push after the restart. In the 51st minute, Salter delivered an excellent ball through to Callender, who found himself in on goal. His effort was on target, but the Athletic Newham goalkeeper was equal to it.

Three minutes later, Danny Cossington produced an excellent sliding tackle just as the visitors looked ready to get a shot away.

Bobby Reeman went into the referee's book in the 56th minute following a tactical foul.

Two further changes followed in the 63rd minute, with Albert Hart and Kiyenne Larochelle replacing Lowe and Salter.

Hart made an immediate impact, using his physical presence well and helping Rocks win a corner just minutes after coming onto the pitch.

The decisive moment arrived in the 74th minute. Zac Bussell produced a brilliant run down the left before laying the ball perfectly into the path of Reeman who calmly guided the ball into the bottom-left corner to restore ETCFC's lead and send Rookery Hill into celebration.

The Rocks had to dig deep during the closing stages as the visitors searched for another equaliser.

ETCFC made their final change in the 85th minute, with Abdul Adedayo replacing Larochelle, before Fortune picked up a yellow card for a challenge three minutes later.

However, Rocks successfully saw out the remaining minutes to secure an excellent and hard-earned victory.

Rocks have an evening fixture on Wednesday (7 October), travelling to the Goldsdown Road stadium in Enfield to play bottom club Brimsdown (7.45pm) and are at home to Southend Manor next weekend.