Barnston 4, East Thurrock CFC 2

ROCKS began Saturday's (12 April) final Essex and Suffolk Border League Premier League match of the season rather sloppily with misplaced passes and giving the ball away cheaply. However, they were sharp in defence and this allowed them to prevent the hosts from gaining the lead.

The Rocks quickly grew into the game and marched forward in search of a goal. Bailey Morris took a shot from the left side of the box aiming for the corner yet it, but it went just wide.

The Rocks continued the pressure but were unable to get their noses in front. They were then almost punished for a lapse in concentration when the home side hit the post, missing the goal by millimetres.

Another chance for the hosts came just a few minutes later; this one didn't come as close, missing the goal completely, but it seemed to wake the visitors. Shortly after, a beautiful ball into the box was met by Ross Barnes who headed the ball into the back of the net giving East Thurrock a 1-0 lead.

The visitors almost threw the lead away soon after with what seemed to be some miscommunication at the back. Luckily the ball would bounce off of the crossbar and was cleared to safety. Just before half time Ross Barnes attempted to double the rocks lead with a shot that went agonisingly wide.

The second half didn't start well for the Rocks, with Barnston equalising just five minutes in, following a misplaced defensive clearance in the box, leaving an easy finish for the visitors. Almost immediately afterwards Barnston went close to taking the lead, hitting the side netting from an attack. The hosts were on top now and had another chance to go ahead, but another shot flew over the bar.

However, these missed opportunities came back to bite them when Harry Prince put East Thurrock back into the lead, following a delightful looping header from stand-in number 10 for the day, Tommy Bruley, which bounced off the bar, and was intercepted by Prince, who controlled it beautifully and despatched it past the keeper.

But this lead was short lived, just two minutes later the home side tied the game for a second time, after another mix up in the box. The game was now end-to-end and Harry Prince looked to put the Rocks into the lead yet again, with his attempt going just wide.

The hosts were very close to putting themselves ahead following some scrappy play in the box with a shot being cleared off the line.

The pressure from Barnston was starting to ramp up now and would soon be rewarded as they scored a third to put them ahead for the first time in the match. With just a few minutes left the home side scored again to make the score 4-2. The Rocks tried to push back, in search on an unlikely point with a few final attempts, but it wasn't meant to be.

But in truth the army of visiting fans, many in fancy dress, were here to show their support for what the team has achieved this season and enjoyed their day in the sun.

The loudest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for the debut of lifelong East Thurrock fan, and East Thurrock CFC Committee member, Michael Edwards, who made his debut, coming on as sub towards the end of the match.

Rocks finished their inaugural season in eighth place.

LINEUP: 1 Jamal Kuku, 2 Ross Dixie, 4 Ray Snares, 5 Taylor Baker, 6 Kieran Case, 7 Bobby Reeman, 9 Iziengbe Ikponmwosa-Ikuero, 11 Bailey Morris, 16 Ross Barnes, 19 Owen Dixie, 20 Harry Prince. SUBS: 10 Tommy Bruley, 13 John Coventry, 21 Michael Edwards.