East Thurrock Community FC 4, Burnham Ramblers 2

A HAT-TRICK from centre-back Harry Salter and a stunning late free kick from Dylan Sanham ensured all three points from Saturday's (17 October) Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties South Division clash went Rocks' way.

The sixth successive league win cemented their place in second spot.

The home side started brightly, enjoying a good spell of possession in the opening exchanges. In the 11th minute, some neat passing football created a couple of promising opportunities, although neither seriously troubled the visiting goalkeeper.

A minute later, Zac Bussell delivered a superb cross towards the far post, with Lewis Rowe desperately unlucky not to get on the end of it. Rocks continued to pile on the pressure, and in the 15th minute, Joe Callender looked certain to score, only to see his effort dramatically cleared off the goal line.

East Thurrock's persistence finally paid off on the half-hour mark. Harry Prince whipped in a corner from the left, and Salter rose to meet it, directing a perfectly placed header from around the penalty spot into the bottom right corner to give the Rocks a deserved 1–0 lead.

The hosts were hungry for more, and in the 38th minute, Zac Bussell found himself in a fantastic position inside the penalty area. His powerful effort looked destined for the back of the net, but the Burnham goalkeeper produced a fine save to keep his side in the contest.

However, just two minutes later, Salter struck again!

Another corner caused problems for the Ramblers defence, and once again Salter was on hand to meet the delivery with his head. This time, the ball bounced a couple of times before eventually crossing the line.

The Rocks emerged for the second half looking to build on their lead, and it wasn't long before Salter completed a remarkable achievement.

In the 55th minute, Rowe produced a brilliant driving run into the penalty area before being brought down, leaving the referee with no hesitation in awarding a penalty.

Up stepped Salter, who calmly dispatched his spot kick into the bottom left corner to complete an extraordinary hat-trick from centre-back!

However, Burnham Ramblers were not ready to give up. Just three minutes later, the visitors pulled a goal back to make it 3–1, giving themselves a glimmer of hope.

East Thurrock made their first change in the 59th minute, with Fortune Motobaluti replacing Bussell. Dylan Sanham then picked up a yellow card in the 62nd minute as the contest became increasingly competitive.

In the 70th minute, the visitors were awarded a penalty of their own, which they duly converted to reduce the deficit to 3–2.

Suddenly, what had looked like a comfortable afternoon for the Rocks had turned into a tense battle, with Burnham pushing for an equaliser.

But in the 77th minute, Sanham produced a moment of absolute magic!

With East Thurrock awarded a free kick from distance, Sanham stepped up and unleashed a sensational left-footed strike, curling the ball into the side netting and leaving the goalkeeper beaten.

The spectacular effort settled any growing nerves around Rookery Hill.

With the game entering its closing stages, East Thurrock made a double substitution in the 80th minute. Marcus Adebayo-Bella and Kiyenne Larochelle entered the action, replacing Rowe and Albert Hart.

The final change came in the 89th minute, with Dougie Keeble replacing Harry Prince as the Rocks saw out the remaining minutes.

Rocks are next in action on Friday, 23 October (7.45pm) when they travel to meet ninth-placed Lymore Gardens who play at the Oakside Stadium, Barkingside, and are in their second season at Step Six.