East Thurrock United 0, Heybridge Swifts 1

Rocks came into the game having made a further five signings since last Saturday's game against Gorleston and center back Liam Boxall coming in for a suspended Tamerson Eyong. Eusabio Da Silva made his rocks debut along with Syrus Gordon, Max Fiddes and Ayo Odukoya making their first Rocks appearances from the bench in the second half.

Both teams pushed forward in the opening stages of the game looking to create chances; a couple of crosses put into Heybridge's box were comfortably dealt with by Swifts keeper Thomas Wray. Some good footwork from Jesse Olukolu on the right hand side enabled him to try and pick out Eusabio in the middle but once again Wray managed to deal with it comfortably.

Heybridge conceded a couple of freekicks which Rocks couldn't threaten from, Ben Sartain injuring himself during the process of fouling a Rocks player meant had to be treated and subsequently led to him being subbed off for former Rock Callum Taylor.

Heybridge picked the ball up on the right hand side and jinked their way through Rocks defence forcing a smart save from Page at his near post parrying the ball out for a Swifts corner. After the first corner was comfortably headed away by Liam Boxall, the second proved more dangerous and after sailing through everyone Heybridge couldn't convert at the back post as the shot went flying over the bar.

Heybridge,now having the run of play after an evenly contested 20 minutes or so, began to put the pressure on Rocks defence, firing a shot just wide of the goal.

The imposing Eusabio Da Silva put pressure on Swifts keeper, almost creating a chance for himself but Wray just about managed to gather. Adalberto Pinto played a super ball through to Charlie Morris who found himself just offside, which would have been a clear cut chance had he have timed his run better.

It was on the 36th minute that Heybridge took the lead after a scramble in the box, Lee Noble managed to fire a powerful shot past Page into the bottom corner of the goal.

Heybridge now with the momentum of the game broke down the left and forced page into another very smart save.

New signing Eusabio was showing fantastic determination to win the ball back using his immense strength managing to out strength Heybridge players off the ball left right and centre, he then got caught down the Rocks right hand side in a bit of a tussle to gain the ball back and onlooking Rocks fans expected referee Benjamin McDonald to award the foul yet he waved on play.

Some Promising play from Pinto led to Callum Taylor lashing out on Rocks captain with a nasty foul and therefore was awarded a yellow card while Pinto received treatment.

The opening of the second half proved to be less eventful than the first, neither team creating many clear cut chances within the first 15 minutes or so. The hardworking Matt Price of Heybridge forced Page into another save and fired his follow up just wide of the left hand goal post.

Rocks had their best chance of the game after some nice footwork the ball was layed into Charlie Morris just inside the box, as he went to fire his shot goalwards the ball seemed to bobble under his feet and the ball scewed well wide of the goal. The introduction of Ayo Odukoya , Max Fiddes and Syrus Gordon meant Rocks had some fresh legs and pushed forward for an equaliser in the last 15 minutes leading to Heybridge giving away fouls and receiving three yellow cards, a particually nasty challenge was on Ben Wyss tripping him up from behind while he was carrying the ball foward.

Rocks tried to get balls into the box looking for Ayo Odukoya who looked particually dangerous in the air. Charlie Morris was then brought down in the opposition box but the referee waved play on. Rocks last efforts weren't enough as McDonald blew the full time whistle on a rather windy afternoon at Rookery Hill. Heybridge took the three points and after creating many more clear cut chances than the Rocks most would say they deserved the win.