East Thurrock CFC 2, Basildon Town 1

ON an historic day that saw East Thurrock Community FC begin their step 6 home campaign at the historic and beloved Rookery Hill, the hosts produced a determined performance as they continued their impressive early-season form, delivering a display full of energy, organisation and intent to seal a second win in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern counties South.

The home side started brightly, pushing forward with intent from kickoff. After 13 minutes they came agonisingly close to an opener: a deep freekick was headed back across goal to Lewis Rowe, whose effort thundered off the crossbar — though the flag was already raised for offside.

A stoppage for a Basildon injury on 18 minutes offered an early hydration break, but the tempo quickly resumed. The visitors' No. 9 went into the book shortly after for a late challenge on Zac Bussell.

Basildon took the lead on 26 minutes with a headed finish from a cross, aided by some lax marking, and the Rocks had to regroup. Zac Bussell himself was cautioned on 37 minutes for a challenge on the edge of the area, though the resulting freekick flew harmlessly over.

Just before the interval, the hosts worked the ball neatly to Joe Callender on the right, but his strike drifted wide. The Rocks went in trailing but very much still in the game.

A change at the break saw Tom Barnacle replace Joe Callender — and he almost made an instant impact. Within a minute he burst past the fullback and whipped a dangerous ball across the sixyard box, with Harry Salter inches away from converting.

The visitors then fired one wildly into the car park on 49 minutes, setting off a car alarm, before Tom Barnacle again caused problems with another teasing cross that earned a corner.

On 57 minutes, captain Harry Prince and Kiyenne Larochelle entered the fray, replacing Harry Salter and Bobby Reeman. The Rocks immediately turned up the pressure. A frantic spell on 59 minutes saw chances for Larochelle, Rowe and Hart, yet somehow the ball refused to cross the line.

A yellow card for Marcus AdebayoBella followed, before Kieron Miles went close from distance on 67 minutes.

The breakthrough finally arrived on 70 minutes. A perfectly weighted through ball sent Barnacle clear, and he finished with calm precision to level the match.

Moments later, Rookery Hill erupted again. Kieron Miles delivered a superb cross which Barnacle met, forcing a save — but Lewis Rowe was on hand to smash home the rebound to take a fully deserved lead.

The hosts were rampant now, with Kieron Miles forcing another strong save on 75 minutes as the Rocks pushed for a third.

The final minutes became scrappy, with both sides battling for control. A minor scuffle between Larochelle and the Basildon fullback on 89 minutes earned a stern talkingto from the referee, but the Rocks held firm.

A determined, energetic and ultimately clinical secondhalf display secured East Thurrock's first home win of the season and maintained their impressive early season form, with 2 wins from 2. From Tom Barnacle's impact to Lewis Rowe's decisive finish, the Rocks showed character, resilience and quality — and sent the record busting home crowd of 272 away delighted.